Highway-Vertical Alignment Design

There are several general controls that should be considered during design for vertical alignment

• A smooth gradeline with gradual changes.

• The 'roller coaster' or the 'hidden-dip' type of profile should be avoided. 

• A broken back gradeline should be avoided;

• Reduce the gradient through the intersection.

• Changes of grade from plus to minus should be placed in cuts, and changes from a minus grade to a plus grade should be placed in fills.