Stopping Sight Distance | Overview and Calculation
Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) is the minimum sight distance for the driver to stop without colliding at any point of the highway.
Sight Distance is the length of road which is visible to the driver at any instant. If we are driving at 80 kmph, and suddenly we see a pedestrian crossing, we should be able to see them before so that we are able to react and brake without colliding. This distance is known as stopping sight distance)
Stopping Sight Distance Definition
It can be formally defined as the minimum sight distance for the driver to stop without colliding at any point of the highway. It depends on
Total reaction time of the driver
Speed of vehicle
Efficiency of brakes
Gradient of road
Friction
Stopping Sight distance is an important aspect of geometric design of roads.
For two way traffic traffic without median - 2 times SSD is the stopping the sight distance
Total reaction time of driver
Perception time (We realise that we have to stop) and Brake reaction time (Time to apply the brakes)
PIEV Theory
Perception - Sensation received by brain
Intellection - Understanding the situation (that you have to apply the brakes)
Emotion - Feelings (like fear, sad)
Volition - Time taken for final action (applying the brakes)
Stopping Sight Distance Calculation
Kinetic energy is equated to the work done to apply the brakes - Braking distance
Reaction time varies. For young drivers it can be 1-2 sec and older drivers it can be as high as 3-4 seconds.
SSD will be more when you are going downhill (downward slope). Use minus n/100 in formula. For upward slope, use +n/100.
Friction coefficient varies from 0.3-0.4