SUPERELEVATION Meaning and
Definition
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Superelevation refers to the banking or tilting of a road or railway track at curves or corners to counteract the centrifugal force experienced by vehicles or trains while negotiating those turns. It is the vertical raise of the outer edge of the road or rail line above the inner edge, creating a slight slope or camber. This design feature allows vehicles or trains to maintain stability and safety at higher speeds when going around bends.
Superelevation is primarily employed in transportation engineering to enhance safety by minimizing the risk of vehicles or trains deviating from their intended path due to the forces applied during cornering. By raising the outer edge of the road or rail track, superelevation helps to redirect part of the centrifugal force towards the center of the curve, allowing for better traction and reducing the likelihood of skidding or overturning.
The degree of superelevation is determined by various factors, including the design speed of the road or rail line, the curve radius, and the height of the vehicles or trains using the route. The angle of superelevation is carefully calculated to provide optimal balance and prevent excessive forces that could lead to accidents. Engineers establish specific guidelines and standards to ensure that superelevation is effectively implemented and maintained, taking into account the overall geometry of the road or rail alignment.
In summary, superelevation is a road or railway design technique involving the upward slope at curves or corners to improve safety by counteracting the centrifugal forces experienced by vehicles or trains during cornering.
Etymology of SUPERELEVATION
The word "superelevation" is derived from the Latin word "super" meaning "above" or "over" and the word "elevation" which comes from the Latin word "elevatio" meaning "a raising" or "lifting". The prefix "super-" in Latin usually denotes something above or beyond a certain measure or degree. In the case of "superelevation", it refers to the act of raising or elevating something, particularly in the context of road or railway engineering where it refers to the banking or canting of a curve to counteract the centrifugal force that acts on vehicles.
