Swept path analysis

Swept path analysis assesses the required width for vehicle movement within the overall width of the road. It can also be used to establish appropriate bend radii. This means that the arrangement of the buildings and the boundaries of the development can be considered first, rather than taking the highway engineering requirements as the starting point for layout design. Building layouts can suit a particular form, with kerblines helping to define and emphasise spaces. The width between kerbs can vary. Further information on how to use swept path analysis is available in the MfS.

Where tracking of large vehicles results in the use of the whole width of the carriageway to manoeuvre on narrow roads, it is important to ensure that forward visibility to bends, including at junctions, is provided in accordance with Table 6: Visibility splays to enable this to be achieved safely. There should be no recourse to reducing the width of roads that result in cars needing to make use of the whole width of the carriageway to make similar manoeuvres.

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Drawing showing an example of swept path analysis tracking a refuse vehicle

Figure 4: An example of swept path analysis tracking a refuse vehicle 

Following swept path analysis, the widths and bend radii must be checked to ensure that the vehicles expected to use the road layout can manoeuvre safely and effectively, without overrunning of kerbs. The vehicle types might typically include a refuse lorry, fire tender and pantechnicon (such as a removal lorry) and a bus if the development will be served by public transport. 

A minimum modelling speed of 15 kph going forwards and 2.5 kph going backwards is to be used when analysing swept paths. At turning heads and for reversing movements in service yards, the slower, default swept path vehicle speed is acceptable.  

Swept path analysis details are required for 11.2m long refuse vehicles and 18.55m long heavy goods vehicles at turning heads (unless the borough or district already uses a larger vehicle, in which case that vehicle should be used) to ensure they can be satisfactorily navigated.

Swept path assessments need to take account of any planned or likely on-street parking (See Parking and EVC section).

The council should be given the opportunity to assess and agree the proposed layout before a planning application is submitted. The layout will also need to satisfy other relevant design guidance for the road type to achieve the design speed and to create a safe environment for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
 

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