Highway Cross Section Safety Lab - AASHTO Engineering & Vehicle Dynamics Simulator

Interactive Cross-Section Dynamic Physics Arena

Surface: Wet Asphalt | Friction: 0.45

Steer Vehicle:

Vehicle Telemetry RECOVERED

Max Lateral Accel

0.38 g

Friction Coeff (μ)

0.45

Clear Zone Standard

COMPLIANT

Rollover Risk

LOW

Cross-Section Classification:

AASHTO Rural Arterial Standard

Cross-Section Parameter Controls

Travel Lane Width: 12 ft

Paved Shoulder Width: 10 ft

Foreslope Ratio (V:H): 4:1

Clear Zone Distance: 30 ft

Test Vehicle Speed: 65 mph

Superelevation Slope: 4 %

Surface Condition:

Vehicle Dynamics Profile:

Clear Zone

Unobstructed, relatively flat roadside area provided beyond the traveled way for the recovery of errant vehicles. AASHTO Green Book mandates width based on speed, traffic volume, and foreslope steepness.

Standard AASHTO Min: 30 ft (at 65 mph)

Primary Purpose: Errant Vehicle Recovery

Traversability: Recoverable (Slope ≤ 4:1)

Select Highway Element to Inspect:

AASHTO Highway Cross-Section Compliance & Physics Report

Cross-Section Parameter	Design Value	AASHTO Requirement	Safety / Recovery Status
Clear Zone Width	30 ft	30 ft (AASHTO Table 3-1)	PASS - Compliant
Foreslope Steepness	4:1 (25%)	≤ 4:1 Recoverable	PASS - Traversable
Lateral Acceleration (g)	0.38 g	≤ 0.40 g Threshold	PASS - Stable
Rollover Dynamics Profile	SUV CoG (Height 1.7m)	Static Stability Factor > 1.2	LOW RISK

Engineering Summary & AASHTO Design Note: The highway cross-section configuration provides adequate 30 ft clear zone recovery distance for an SUV travelling at 65 mph on wet pavement. The 4:1 foreslope allows drivers to re-steer errant vehicles back onto the traveled way without experiencing vehicle rollover or unrecoverable lateral sliding.