Inverted Crown in Public Street
Inverted Crown in Public Street
(OP)
The developer I'm working with would like to use an inverted crown design for public roads within a large commercial development. He would like to create a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere by draining runoff away from the roadside parking. We'd then use inlets along the road centerline to convey the runoff elsewhere. We're in MT, so the developer would like people parking to not have to worry about ice or water when entering/exiting their vehicle.
Has anyone had experience with inverted crown streets or know of a city that accepts them as a standard?
Thanks!
Has anyone had experience with inverted crown streets or know of a city that accepts them as a standard?
Thanks!





RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
The City of Clayton, Missouri using them in alleys. Try talking to them about their thoughts.
Mike Lambert
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
There are problems with inverted crowns. First, there's a joint in the inverted crown. Not only is that bad because all the water flows across or along this joint to the inlet, but the joint itself is difficult to construct properly. "Pinch" rolling is more difficult and cross rolling can't be done if the slope is reasonable...it causes gouging. As a result, the joint in the asphalt starts to separate earlier than for other joints and the result is deterioration along the joint.
While the developers reasons for using the inverted crown might seem laudable, they are not pragmatic for the performance of the pavement.
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
The Town of Grand Lake, CO has an inverted crown on Main Street. One key to the design is a continuous concrete pan in the flowline (which address the concerns mentioned by Ron). See attached photo of Main Street, and ignore the hot blonde.
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
So, if it has to be used, better recommend all concrete.
Question, why is there foot traffic down the center of the road anyhow?
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
From my experience, the construction of the seam between the asphalt and concrete is more important than whether you move the water to the middle or the edge of road. I've seen plenty of asphalt and concrete fail at the joint on the outside of crowned roads, due to improper drainage. This occurs due to runoff/snow/ice accumulation at the seam and not necessarily due to vehicular traffic.
As far as foot traffic down the center of the road... the concrete pan in the middle or the road is not intended for foot traffic (not sure if that is why you were asking). Most people use the wood boardwalks next to the shops and on the outside of the road.
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
#
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
Ron: Guess you got swayed also. Same goes for Pinwards. But for me, at 85, I managed to see the rest of the shot, but it was tough. Wife came in the room.
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
CVG: Was the use of inverted crowns banned because of the reasons listed above (i.e. vehicles driving through water, tendency for cars to slide towards oncoming traffic, asphalt seam construction issues, etc.) or were there other reasons?
As also stated above, inverted crowns are very typical in parking lots, so I'm trying to understand why they would not be allowed in a low-speed road.
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
I'm not sure I know all the reasons for eliminating inverted crowns, but the reasons stated previously are all valid.
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
Oh wait..
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
RE: Inverted Crown in Public Street
Paved shoulders.
Rumble strips can be added on the paved shoulder if desired, as done on highways.