InRoads Geometry Layout Methods

COGO Classic non-graphical Method COGO is a suite of programs aimed at coordinate geometry problems in civil engineering. COGO was originally a subsystem of MIT's Integrated Civil Engineering System (ICES), developed in the 1960s. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAOT) uses Bentley COGO Classic as calculator for survey traverse and control point reports. This application serves as a check method for survey data as well as a layout method for Bridge structures. COGO Classic commands can be scripted in an ACSII text file, and are typically saved with the .ics extension. Alphanumeric commands are used to store points, locate points, generate curve data, transform coordinate data and generate reports among other functions. ICS files can be imported into Civil Engineering applications such as InRoads to generate graphics or reports. Although the COGO functionality is dated it has practical uses in current engineering and survey technology. Property lines and Right of way boundaries are defined in a variety of formats. The survey plat, when available, indicates coordinate information such as corner post coordinates then distance and bearings of the legal boundaries. Legal descriptions are sometimes available with no drawing, only coordinates with bearings and distances listed. This type of information can be written into an ASCII COGO file where the coordinates, bearing and distance information is written into COGO commands. This ICS file can serve as a digital record. It can be compared to plat or legal descriptions as well as regenerated in current graphical or report formats. COGO Classic commands provide a process for generating geometry that is verifiable as to methods used to locate points that define the geometry. PI Method Within the Bentley InRoads application there are several methods for generating horizontal & vertical geometry. The basic functionality of the PI Methods works for both horizontal & vertical, although they use a different tool set. This section will focus on horizontal Point of Intersection (PI) methodology, this it the simplest method for placing geometry, but simplicity has limitations. The more advanced Element and Regression methods allow for more complex solutions to geometry layout. The PI method utilizes the InRoads Geometry > Horizontal Curve Set tools to Add or Insert PI locations. This method is graphical and can be utilized by visually placing points in a drawing while dynamically viewing graphics that show

liner elements connecting the PIs. These linear elements define the curve element tangent lines. Some designers prefer to construct or layout PI locations using standard CAD platform application tools, then insert PIs by snapping to the construction graphics. This method may simplify inserting the PI points and offer an easier way to match existing roadway topographic. Simply inserting points visually then moving them around to match existing is also a common method. Adding, inserting, moving and deleting are relatively simple functions, using the Curve set tools. Once PIs are located, the user can begin to locate curve elements between intersecting linear elements. Curve elements, using the PI method, are defined using the Define Horizontal Curve Set dialog. This allows the user to move down the geometry one PI at a time while viewing and defining curve set data using several methods. The user can define curves by known Radius or by letting InRoads calculate the radius through the various methods and calculator options. One way to quickly match an existing radius is to choose the Define By: Point on Curve method. This will allow the user too graphically locate or key-in a point that the curve must pass through. Once the point is defined and a valid curve is calculated, the radius will be set to meet that criteria, note that the radius can then be modified after pass through is found and applied. The PI method has limitations. Compound curves are difficult to define because the basis of this method is to defined each PI then define the curve at that PI. Drawing construction lines and recalculating curve data can help, but often matching existing involves compound curves. Compound curves are common on ramps and geometry other than center line geometry for example islands, curb returns etc. The Element method provides the tools to generate complex compound curve geometry as well as standard POB - PC PT POE geometry. Horizontal Element Method This method is used to generate horizontal geometry by defining the line and curve elements directly using interactive placement tools apposed to indirectly placing off alignment PI points. The Element method involves placing elements using Fixed, Floating or Free solutions. Each solution requires specified design input and each is used independently, depending on element requirements. This method offers advance placement options including the ability to generate multi-

center curves and placing geometry without locating PI locations. While this option makes creating geometry more of a graphical method and offers advance solutions; it can be more complicated requiring in-depth knowledge of the geometry and its elements to element integrity. Placing geometry elements directly allows for placing curves along existing CL features by defining 3 pass through points. The user could potentially place all the curves then go back and fit tangents between the curves. The element method offers the most flexibility and allows for the most complex curve set design. Geometry that includes compound or multiple compound curves and can be created. When the horizontal geometry is finished, all elements should be connected and tangential. When laying out geometry using the element methods, the alignment can be in a state of discontinuity. That is to say elements are not connected or at least not in a consecutive ordered way. The integrity of the geometry should be verified using the Check Integrity tool. If the geometry contains discontinuities the Curve set tools used in the PI method will not function until the issue is corrected. Once the users start using the Element Method you may not have the option of going back to the PI method until the alignment is continuous. Horizontal Regression Method The regression method works for both the Horizontal and Vertical geometry. This process uses least squares to generate best fit geometry elements based on points, loaded into a regression buffer. The points are usually field collected points representing some existing asset such as roadway or railroad layout geometry. The points are loaded into a regression buffer then groups of points are analyzed and a best fit geometry is calculated. The points loaded into the regression buffer are called regression points and are stored in the ALG file as a child of the active horizontal or vertical geometry. After geometry elements are generated using regression tools they can be modified as required. Regression points can be compared to the final geometry for offset tolerances in report or graphical format.

This method is not commonly used by VAOT although the CR ROAD CROWN points can be used for regression analysis. This process is not automatic. The regression analysis works best on one element at a time. There are tools available to view and analyze the process before accepting the results. After elements are accepted and saved, use the multiple element regression analysis to further adjust the geometry and/or fill in any gaps. Gaps are generally best filled with spiral curves however VAOT tries not to use spirals on state roadway design. These methods will usually involve using the geometry Element Methods discussed previously to finalize the geometry. Element integrity should always be checked after using Regression or Element methods. Shown here is an example regression analysis in process. Points 136 143 were selected for analysis then a circular type element best fit was computed. The resulting element is shown in green the blue jagged line represents exaggerated offset deviations. Before this curve element is accepted you are able to view the deviations both visual and in a report as shown also. In addition to viewing points in plan, a curve diagram can be created to show point data for the purpose of identifying circular, linear and spiral elements; then selecting the points involved for analysis. Regression tools offer a mathematical method for generating best fix geometry. The resulting elements can be further adjusted using the multiple element regression tools. This allows the user to modify the geometry to a best fit solution while allowing the designer to select the free or variable dimension of the elements; such as allowing certain radii to adjust and or specified segment lengths to adjust. Regression Analysis is not commonly used on VAOT projects. However other states and especially rail industry designers use this method to mathematically generate geometry for both practical and legal reasons.