Hydrological Considerations in Designing Roadways: Avoiding Hydroplaning

Abstract

Safety on highways is essential, but high water levels on lanes risk that. Drainage structures are mostly concerned with water spread at sideways and ignore the build-up flow on the surface. This study addresses whether optimizing cross slopes prevents hydroplaning. Water depths obtained using kinematic wave equation were tested against several studies for verification. Wide range of rainfall intensities and cross slopes was tested. Findings revealed that cross slope optimization for grades up to 10% prevents hydroplaning for intensities below 250mm/hr with widths up to 15m. The study shows cross slope optimization must be considered simultaneously with inlet design work.

Keywords

• hydroplaning
• kinematic wave equation
• roadway drainage
• sheet flow on roadways

References

1. Anilan, T., Yüksek, Ö, Fatih, S., & Orgun, E. (2022) Rainfall intensity-duration-frequency analysis in turkey, with the emphasis of eastern black sea basin. Teknik Dergi, 33(4)
2. Brown, S., Schall, J., Morris, J., Doherty, C., Stein, S., & Warner, J. (2009). Hydraulic engineering circular no. 22, 3rd edition: Urban drainage design manual. National Highway Institute, Federal HighwayAdministration, Washington, DC.
3. Charbeneau, R. J., Jeong, J., & Barrett, M. E. (2009). Physical modeling of sheet flow on rough impervious surfaces. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 135(6), 487-494.
4. Chen, C., & Wong, T. S. (1993). Critical rainfall duration for maximum discharge from overland plane. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 119(9), 1040-1045.
5. Cristina, C. M., & Sansalone, J. J. (2003). Kinematic wave model of urban pavement rainfall-runoff subject to traffic loadings. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 129(7), 629-636.
6. Gallaway, B., Ivey, D., Hayes, G., Ledbetter, W., Olson, R., Woods, D., & Schiller Jr, R. (1979). Pavement and geometric design criteria for minimizing hydroplaning. (Final Report No. FHWA-RD-79-31).
7. Gurganusa, C. F., Chang, S., & Gharaibeh, N. G. (2021). Evaluation of hydroplaning potential using mobile lidar measurements for network-level pavement management applications. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 1-10.
8. Gülhan, G., Özuysal, M., & Ceylan, H. (2020). Evaluation of intersection properties using MARS method for improving urban traffic performance: Case study of Tekirdağ, Turkey. Teknik Dergi, 32(6)

9. Guo, X., Zhang, C., Cui, B., Wang, D., & Tsai, J. (2013). Analysis of impact of transverse slope on hydroplaning risk level. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 96, 2310-2319.
10. McCuen, R. H., & Spiess, J. M. (1995). Assessment of kinematic wave time of concentration. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 121(3), 256-266.
11. Ross, N., & Russam, K. (1968). The depth of rain water on road surfaces. (No. RRL LR 236). Crowthorne, Berkshire: Road Research Laboratory.
12. US Army Corps of Engineers. (1954). Data report, airfield drainage investigation.
13. Wong, T. S. (2005). Assessment of time of concentration formulas for overland flow. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 131(4), 383-387.