On a horizontal alignment, what is the term for the point where the curve becomes tangent to the straight alignment?

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Multiple Choice

On a horizontal alignment, what is the term for the point where the curve becomes tangent to the straight alignment?

Explanation:
In a horizontal alignment, a curve must join a straight section smoothly, so the direction of the path is the same at the junction. This shared direction defines a tangency point—the place where the curve ends and the straight alignment resumes. That point is called the Point of Tangency. The start of the curve, where it begins to bend away from the straight path, is the Point of Curvature. Other terms refer to different concepts: the Point of Intersection is where the extended tangents would meet if extended, the Point of Inflection relates to a change in the curvature sign, and a vertical intersection deals with vertical alignment rather than the horizontal curve connection.

In a horizontal alignment, a curve must join a straight section smoothly, so the direction of the path is the same at the junction. This shared direction defines a tangency point—the place where the curve ends and the straight alignment resumes. That point is called the Point of Tangency. The start of the curve, where it begins to bend away from the straight path, is the Point of Curvature. Other terms refer to different concepts: the Point of Intersection is where the extended tangents would meet if extended, the Point of Inflection relates to a change in the curvature sign, and a vertical intersection deals with vertical alignment rather than the horizontal curve connection.

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