Office of Federal Lands Highway

Roadway Designer Manual: 1 - Corridor Modeling

Introduction

The Corridor Modeling tool is a front end application that allows you to set up project specific preferences. Symbology features, geometry information, and the existing surface are imported using this tool. Roadway Designer, which is the core modeling tool, utilizes these definitions when creating a roadway design model. The preferences and imported information can then be saved in a Roadway Designer preference (.rdp) file.

During the initial File>Save process, a subfolder named rddbs is created in the working directory which contains files that will be used by Roadway Designer.  This subfolder and its files should NOT be deleted.

Figure 1

The rddbs subfolder and its files should NOT be deleted or modified

General Settings

File Drop-Down

• Load – Loads an existing Roadway Designer preference file.
• Save – Saves any changes to the active Roadway Designer preference file.
  
  

  When all the necessary options have been defined, the settings are saved to a Roadway Designer preference file (.rdp) for future use.  After the initial creation of the .rdp file, loading the .rdp file is the first step when entering Corridor Modeler to work on a project.  Select File > Load from the Corridor Modeler file drop down menu and load the .rdp file.

• Save As – Saves a new Roadway Designer preference file.
• Exit – Closes the Corridor Modeling dialog.

Tools Drop-Down

• Export Profile to GPK – Opens the Export Profile to GPK dialog, which allows you to pull overlay profiles created in Roadway Designer out of an ALG file and store them in a GPK file.
• Draw Roadway from Template – Opens the Create 2D Graphics dialog, which allows you to create 2D graphics from a specified template in a template library file.

Job Number

Specifies the GEOPAK Coordinate Geometry database (gpk file).

Loading a project via Project Manager prior to opening Corridor Modeler will load the path to the gpk file therefore making the selection of the gpk less cumbersome. Loading the project from Project Manager also loads GEOPAK User Preferences which control various settings such as decimals for Output Accuracy.  

Preferences

Station Lock – Applicable only when the first station specified on the horizontal alignment is an odd‐numbered station (for example, 2+38).

• Increment - When Increment is selected, and the first station is odd‐numbered, the software performs the command action at odd‐numbered stations only (for example, 2+38, 2+88, 3+38).
• Even – When Even is selected, the software performs the command action to the first station and then forces all subsequent actions to even‐numbered stations. For example, if the first station is 2+38 and the station interval is defined as 50, the software performs the command action at stations 2+38, 2+50, 3+00, and so on.

Slope Readout – Designates a particular format for expressing slope from the Slope combo box.  The default readout is set to percent (%).  If the option is changed, selection boxes throughout the Create Template and Roadway Designer dialog boxes will display and accept values based on this selection.

Horizontal/Vertical Chord Height – Sets the chord height variables for the DTM creation process.  The values used will determine the amount of created points in the DTM input (.dat) file.  Points will automatically be added DTM input (.dat) file by interpolating new shots from the linear and curved sections of the data.

The recommended settings for chord height are; Horizontal Chord Height: 0.1 and Vertical Chord Height: 0.05. The smaller the numbers the larger the resulting DTM will be which also results in increased processing time.

Template Library – Specifies the template library (.itl) file for the project. You can select a file or use one of the automatically selected files. This field is populated by the configuration variable (GPK_RD_Template_Library) if it is defined. If it is not defined, this field is populated by the ../bin/default.itl. See the Directories Section for workflow on copying the Template Library to the project directory.

The location for the Federal Lands Highway Template Library (FLH.itl) file for each Federal Lands Division Office is listed below:

• EFL Path: M:\Engineering_Software\Cadd_resource_v8i\Roadway_Designer\Templates\
• CFL Path: N:\V8i_Resource\FLH_Common\GEOPAK\Roadway Designer\Templates\
• WFL Path: pw:\\Umatilla.hfl17do1.wfl.fld.fhwa.dot.gov:PW_Oracle\Documents\PW_Resources\Bentley\GEOPAK\Templates\

DTM Files Path – Specifies the folder in which the DTM file will be placed when creating a DTM file. If this preference is not defined, the DTM file is created in the same directory as the specified TIN file unless if the folder is read-only.

The original folder from which the .tin file is selected is typically a read-only folder controlled by the survey department.  If the folder containing the .tin is read-only, select the project working directory for the DTM Files Path.

DDB – The DDB option is used to Import drafting standards from a DDB file into an .xin preference file used by the Roadway Designer.  To identify a DDB file, you must set the GPK_ACBOOK_DDBFILE_STYLES  configuration variable, or accept the default DDB file.  When you click Import the software creates a rddbs sub‐directory (if one does not already exist) and puts the .xin file in the rddbs directory.

The GPK_ACBOOK_XINFILE_STYLES configuration variable is used when a single global .xin file will be used instead of a project specific .xin in the local rddbs folder.  When this variable is defined pointed to an existing .xin file, the Import DDB option is disabled and WILL NOT show up in the Corridor Modeling dialog box.

DTM

The DTM dialog’s TIN/DTM drop-down option is used to Import selected DTM or TIN file(s).  If a TIN file is selected, it is converted to a .dtm file and stored in the defined location.  If a DTM file is selected, no conversion is performed.  The selected DTM file is simply used by Roadway Designer.

FLH users will generally access a TIN (.tin) file provided by the Survey/Mapping Office.

Two action/edit icons are located on the right side of the dialog.

• Add TIN to List – Adds a selected file to the list box.
• Delete TIN of Selected Row – Deletes the selected row from the list box.

The DTM used by the Roadway Designer is different from the traditional GEOPAK TIN file. The basic principles of the two files are the same. They both use spot elevations, break lines, and other point definitions to build a triangulated model. The biggest difference is that the DTM used by the Roadway Designer stores spot elevations and break lines as features.

Figure 2

NOTE:  Further understanding of Styles and Features within a DTM (.dtm) File

A thorough understanding of the features stored in the DTM enables more advanced uses of the DTM data beyond simply storing the surface model.  Roadway Designer creates a DTM of the design roadway surface.  Remember that all data stored in a DTM must exist in features. Therefore, the Roadway Designer creates features.  The features created by the Roadway Designer are named based on the Point Names assigned in the template definition. Template Points are definitions that include a name and a link to a feature style.

When the results of the Roadway Designer are saved to a DTM, the point names become the name of linear features (breaklines) in the DTM.  The features (breaklines) run parallel to the roadway connecting matching template points from one template drop station to the next.  For example, a linear feature (breakline) is created for each lane line, the edge of pavement, ditch foreslopes, ditch bottoms, and so on.  The feature style defines the graphical appearance of the feature (breakline) when displayed in the graphics file. Therefore, the point names control how each segment in the template is stored in the DTM and is displayed in the graphics file.

Each type of breakline in the DTM should have its own feature style.  For example, there should be a style for edge of pavement. Then all EOP features (breaklines) in the project will use the same feature style.  This ensures that all of the EOP graphics will appear the same and groups all of the EOP breaklines in the DTM into a single category.  In addition to defining the graphic appearance of features (breaklines), feature styles also provide the ability to do more advanced work in the Roadway Designer.  For example, a template may be needed that locates or targets the EOP of an existing lane and then widens that lane by a specified distance.  Even if you knew the name of the features (breaklines) that represented the existing EOP it would be difficult to target them because there could be dozens or hundreds of them on a single project. However, if they all use the same feature style the template can easily target that feature style.  One key concept to getting the most from Roadway Designer is understanding that the point names in a template become feature (breakline) names in the design DTM.  A second key concept is that assigning a feature style (not default) to each point in a template results in a DTM that has the proper graphical displays and provides intelligence you can take advantage of as you get more advanced in using the Roadway Designer.

Features do not exist in a GEOPAK TIN.  A TIN file still contains the points and breaklines that define the model, just not the features and feature styles.

Geometry

The Geometry option is used to Import various types of geometry data from the selected .gpk file and generates an .alg geometry file based on the information you provide.  When you click Import, the geometry is updated in the .alg file with the Chain, Profile, and Drafting Standard information specified in the list.  The .alg file is located in the rddbs folder.

Figure 3

Dialog Options

Chain - An existing chain stored in the Coordinate Geometry file (.gpk) that will be stored as an alignment in the Roadway Designer alignment file (.alg).

Drafting Standard - Symbology that will be assigned to the new alignment.

The new Drafting Standard assigned to the new chain will be available as a Style for searching within Roadway Designer.

Profile(s) - A list of profiles stored in the Coordinate Geometry file (.gpk) that will be stored as vertical alignments in the Roadway Designer alignment file (.alg).  To assign more than one Profile to a single Chain, hold down the control button on the keyboard while selecting each Profile with the left mouse button.

Import - Stores the chain and profile(s) in the list box into the Roadway Designer alignment file (.alg) and makes Roadway Designer aware of the chain/profile(s)

Three action/edit icons are located on the right side of the dialog.

• Add Chain to List – Adds the specified chain, drafting standard, and profile (if selected) to the collection box.
• Modify Chain of Selected Row – Modifies the selected row of search criteria in the collection box.
• Delete Chain of Selected Row – Deletes the selected row of search criteria in the collection box.

Plan Graphics

The Plan Graphics option is used to store plan view graphical elements in the Roadway Designer alignment file (.alg). Since Roadway Designer does not directly work with plan view graphics, these elements must be stored as alignments in the Roadway Designer alignment file (.alg).  The alignments can then be used by Roadway Designer for pavement transitions, widening, etc.

 

Figure 4

Dialog Options

Search Criteria - There are three options to choose from that can search for plan graphics.

• Symbology – Level, color, style, weight, etc. that plan graphics are created to.
• Feature – Design & Computation Manager feature.
• Selection Set – MicroStation Selection Set.

Chain - An existing chain stored in the Coordinate Geometry file (.gpk) that will be used to search for the plan graphics that will be stored as alignments in the Roadway Designer alignment file (.alg).

Side - Select either “L” or “R” to instruct the software as to which side of the selected chain you would like to use in the search.

Begin and End Offsets - A search distance from the selected chain used to search for plan elements.

Display Button - Once the search criteria has been specified and added to the collection box, this option is used to display the plan elements that will be stored.

New Chain Name - Specifies the new alignment name to be stored in the Roadway Designer .alg file.  Refer to the FLH chain naming conventions for recommended names.

Drafting Standard - Symbology that will be assigned to the new chain.

The new Drafting Standard assigned to the new chain will be available as a Style for searching within Roadway Designer. Complex elements or Strings cannot be imported as Plan Graphics.  You must Drop those elements prior to selecting them for importing.

The FLH Styles (or Drafting Standards) used in Corridor Modeling or Roadway Designer can be used in four common ways:

1.  Plan (prefix is DNC‐ or PL_ ) The Style is used to associate with things that are drawn in the .dgn plan view. A Style must be associated with the Alignment created from the Plan Graphic Import option in Corridor Modeling.
2.  Geometry (prefix is DNC‐ or PL_ or PR_ ) The Style is used to associate with Geometry that is created in GEOPAK. A Style must be associated with Geometry (Chains and Profiles) when using the Geometry Import option in Corridor Modeling.
3. Cross Section (prefix is xDNC‐ or XS_ ) The Style is used to apply the proper symbology to the sectional view of the component created in the Create Template dialog and applied in Roadway Designer. The Style used for the component or template will be inherited when the .dtm file, or surface, is created. This Style will be reflected in cross sections cut from the model.
4. Point (prefix is DNC‐ or PL_ or PR_ or xDNC‐ or XS_ ) The Style must be associated with a point name that is created or used in the Create Template dialog. In Roadway Designer the connected template points form longitudinal breakline features in the surface model.  The point name used defines the name of the Feature. The Style associated with the point results in the Feature’s symbology, or, Style.

 To avoid confusion when using the term Feature Styles in GEOPAK, remember that Feature Styles exist inside of a DTM created with Roadway Designer.

Filter Tolerances - Both horizontal and variance filter tolerances are considered together for each pair of graphical segments. The middle point is deleted if both segment lengths are less than the horizontal filter tolerance while the projected distance between the mid‐point and the chord between the two end points is less than the variance tolerance.  Values of 50 Horizontal and .01 Vertical are typical.  A value of 0 for both tolerances disables them.

Import - Stores the new chain or any added graphical elements into the Roadway Designer alignment file (.alg) and makes Roadway Designer aware of the new chain/element(s).

Three action/edit icons are located on the right side of the dialog.

• Add Search Criteria to List – Adds the specified search criteria to the collection box.
• Modify Search Criteria of Selected Row – Modifies the selected row of search criteria in the collection box.
• Delete Search Criteria of Selected Row – Deletes the selected row of search criteria in the collection box.

When Import is selected for Plan Graphics, all alignments that are checked as Store are brought into the .alg file.  So, if there are plan graphics that were imported and it is not wanted to ever overwrite or update the alignments for those previously imported graphics, uncheck the Store box.  The Store box is located at the end of the specific row added to the list.

ALG Viewer

The ALG Viewer option is used to display, undisplay, and delete the selected chains directly from the ALG file.

Figure 5

Three action/edit icons are located on the right side of the dialog.

• Display Selected Rows – Displays the Horizontal Alignment of the selected rows in the CAD view.
• Undisplay Selected Rows – Removes the Horizontal Alignment of the selected rows from the CAD view.
• Delete Selected Rows – Deletes the Horizontal Alignment of the selected rows from the ALG file. The selected Horizontal Alignment will also be removed from the Geometry section of Corridor Modeler.

Files and Directories

ProjectWise Considerations

WFL:

DDB option enabled.

• Styles DDB:  pw:\\Umatilla.hfl17do1.wfl.fld.fhwa.dot.gov:PW_Oracle\Documents\PW_Resources\Bentley\GEOPAK\DDBS\English\FLH_Styles.ddb
• ITL: pw:\\Umatilla.hfl17do1.wfl.fld.fhwa.dot.gov:PW_Oracle\Documents\PW_Resources\Bentley\GEOPAK\Templates\

Master ITL gets copied into the working directory, renamed, and pathed in the Corridor Modeler Preferences

• XS Labeler and support files: pw:\\Umatilla.hfl17do1.wfl.fld.fhwa.dot.gov:PW_Oracle\Documents\PW_Resources\Bentley\MicroStation\MVBA\

TIN files reside in project survey directory and is used to create DTM in working directory

Conclusion

Advantages:

• Corridor Modeler provides easy method to import GEOPAK base files into a format that is readily usable by Roadway Designer.
• The intuitive interface facilitates easy access to applications necessary for the design and review process of cross sections and models.

Disadvantages:

• The necessity to import base files for use with Roadway Designer.

Uses:

• When it is necessary during the design process to develop cross sections and models

Workflow:

To access this workflow, follow this link: Corridor Modeling Workflow

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