Horizontal Curve Parts and Road Alignment

Horizontal curves connect straight road or railroad segments and help vehicles move safely through a change in direction. They are used in highway and railroad design to create smooth transitions between tangents, which are the straight path sections before and after the curve. By reducing abrupt changes, these curves can su...

The center lines of highways and railroads are made up of straight segments, or tangents, joined by horizontal curves. 

These curves allow vehicles to transition smoothly between tangents, minimizing speed reduction and reducing the risk of accidents.