PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of superelevation on the existing local freeway ramps where occurrence of traffic incidents are concentrated in order to improve the safety of ramp curves. Using a superelevation slope test conducted on Cheong-ju interchange as a case study, operating speed and lateral friction coefficients are measured, and the safety before and after increasing the superelevation is analyzed. METHODS: First, the actual operating speed of freeway ramps is measured for analysis and the 85th-percentile speed is calculated. This is followed by a measurement change in the lateral friction coefficient because of an increase in superelevation slope from 6% to 10%. Based on the change in lateral friction coefficient, an evaluation of the safety of driving mechanics is carried out and suggestions for the most appropriate superelevation slopes are presented. RESULTS: The operating speed (V85) of the loop ramp increases by up to 5.6 km/h after increasing the superelevation slope, and the operating speed (V85) of reverse ramp curve increases by up to 6.1 km/h. However, the standard deviation of the speed between each section has decreased, making it easier to drive smoothly. Although some sections of the loop ramp show poor safety due to the difference between actual and design friction coefficients in the safety evaluation before the increase of superelevation slope, the lateral force decreases after the increase of superelevation slope, improving the safety of the road. CONCLUSIONS : Currently, Korea’s freeway ramps pose a safety risk to vehicles traveling at speeds higher than the design speed. To improve the safety of freeway ramps, analysis on the effect of increase in superelevation slope found that the lateral friction coefficient decreases, which in turn improves the safety of freeway ramps.

OBJECTIVES : Many roadway departure crashes on the freeway interchange are due to the running speed being greater than the design speed. This study aims to ensure a safe and pleasant driving experience for the driver by increasing the superelevation based on the running speed on the highway interchange ramp. METHODS: The mean running speed for each type of ramp is calculated on site survey more than 10 interchanges. Using the mean running speed, we calculated the superelevation and the side friction using the method given in “A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Street”(Pages 145-166, 2001). Then, we applied the modified method to the superelevation range. Finally, we ensured safety using the Degree of Safety that is proven by the centrifugal acceleration ratio as suggested by Joseph Craus (1978). RESULTS : The mean running speeds are 50 km/h and 65 km/h when the design speeds are 40 km/h and 50 km/h, respectively. After the application of the new method used in this study, the superelevation will be increased by 9.0% and 10.0% when the mean running speeds are 50 km/h and 65 km/h, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A higher superelevation can give the driver a more comfortable and safe driving environment. However, the driver needs to be aware of snow and low-temperature conditions.