GEOMETRIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT OPTIMIZATION

The highway alignment optimization problem is modeled to identify the preferred alignment alternatives which minimize total cost and satisfy the highway design standards. Several mathematical models have been developed during the past decades, among which the Highway Alignment Optimization (HAO) model has been used in several practical highway design projects with satisfactory results. However, several major cost components, such as vehicle operating cost and environmental cost are estimated roughly, and should be improved to yield more precise cost estimates and to allow optimization of lane widths. These are the HAO model features which this thesis seeks to improve. Lane width is an important factor in highway design, which is related to the travel speed, safety, as well as earthwork cost. This thesis employs Newton's method and Finite Difference method to search for the appropriate lane width. The preferred lane width found in the case study is 10.6 feet, for which the total cost is $233 million, and 12.5% less than the total cost at 12 feet lane width. In addition, this thesis improves the vehicle operating cost prediction by calculating the vehicle resistance force and horsepower, and estimating the fuel consumption based on the fuel consumption rate (g/hp-hr). Moreover, the environmental cost, particularly the vehicle emissions cost is incorporated in the newly improved HAO model. It is found that the vehicle emission cost decreases by 9% after including the environmental cost component in the model objective function. The results of the case study and sensitivity analyses indicate that the improved HAO model can find good highway alignments efficiently in tough topographic environmental. Moreover, the model can jointly consider the social, economic and environmental consequences, and result in less fuel consumption and pollutant emissions

Modeling spatial variability in the life-cycle costs of low-volume forest roads

Cost estimation is probably the most decisive factor in the process of computer-aided, preliminary planning for low-volume road networks. However, the cost of construction is normally assumed to be route-independent for a specific project area, resulting in sub-optimal layouts. This is especially true for mountainous terrain and in areas with unstable subsoil. Here, we present a model for more accurately estimating spatial variability in road life-cycle costs, based on terrain surface properties as well as geological properties of the subsoil. This parametric model incorporates four structural components: embankment, retaining structures, pavement, and drainage and stream-crossing structures. It is linked to a geo-database that allows users to derive location-specific parameter values as input. In applying this model, we have demonstrated that variability in costs ranges widely for mountainous areas, with the most expensive construction being approximately five times greater there than on more favorable sites. This variability strongly affects the optimal layout of a road network. First, when location-specific slope gradients are considered, costs are reduced by about 17% from those calculated via currently available engineering practices; when both slope gradient and geotechnical formations are included, those costs are decreased by about 20%. Second, the length of the road network is increased by about 4% and 10% respectively, compared with current practice

An Application of a Heuristic Network Algorithm to Cable Logging Layout Design

This paper describes a method for optimizing cable logging layouts using a heuristic network algorithm. A timber harvest unit layout is formulated as a network problem. Each grid cell containing timber volume to be harvested is identified as an individual entry node of the network. Mill locations or proposed timber exit locations are identified as destinations. Each origin will then be connected to one of the destinations through alternative links representing alternative cable corridors, harvesting equipment, landing locations, and truck road segments. A heuristic algorithm for network programming is used to solve the cost minimization network problem. A computerized model has been developed to implement the method. Logging feasibility and cost analysis modules are included in the model in order to evaluate the logging feasibility of alternative cable corridors and estimate yarding and transportation costs. The model was successfully applied to a harvest planning area to generate harvesting plans. This case study indicates that the planning method is best used for pre-planning since modeling assumptions with respect to tail spar availability and unconstrained road alignments may require modification of the plan before implementation

Geographic Information Systems and Science

Geographic information science (GISc) has established itself as a collaborative information-processing scheme that is increasing in popularity. Yet, this interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary system is still somewhat misunderstood. This book talks about some of the GISc domains encompassing students, researchers, and common users. Chapters focus on important aspects of GISc, keeping in mind the processing capability of GIS along with the mathematics and formulae involved in getting each solution. The book has one introductory and eight main chapters divided into five sections. The first section is more general and focuses on what GISc is and its relation to GIS and Geography, the second is about location analytics and modeling, the third on remote sensing data analysis, the fourth on big data and augmented reality, and, finally, the fifth looks over volunteered geographic information.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

IWR; no. 96

A report of a workshop held at The University of Alberta, Edmonton on March 20, 1978.The Joint Canadian-United States Northern Civil Engineering Research Workshop was held at the University of Alberta campus, Edmonton, Alberta on March 20 through 22, 1978. Over 40 participants from government, universities, and private practice from both the U.S. and Canada discussed northern civil engineering research for 2 1/2 days. The results of their effort are presented in this report. The nature of a report coming from spontaneous conversation will be somewhat uneven in coverage, language, and tone. However, we feel obligated to preserve the initial intent and language of the various workshop groups and each report should represent the original conclusion as nearly as possible. We acted as the principal instigators of the workshop and were ably assisted by an excellent group of workshop chairmen: Jack Clark, Lorne Gold, Charles Neill, Daniel Rogness, James Rooney, and Daniel Smith. We particularly want to acknowledge the assistance of the Boreal Institute for organizing and providing much of the administrative and secretarial support for the workshop, and the staff of the Institute of Water Resources for assisting with the organizing and publication processes. The workshop was sponsored by the National Science Foundation of the United States, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs of Canada, the Boreal Institute and Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Alberta, and the Institute of Water Resources of the University of Alaska. R. F. Carlson N. R. MorgensternNSF Grant No. ENG 76-22293 Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Grant 64-0502

Computer-implemented land planning system and method

US10380270B2Algorithms and the Foundations of Software technolog

The highground: exploring landfill surface contouring for enhanced aesthetics in Southern California

Master of Landscape ArchitectureDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community PlanningHoward D. HahnDaily waste production in the United States has steadily increased and follows population growth, especially in metropolitan areas and populated states. Since landfill permitting is typically a long and potentially controversial process, the trend is toward fewer but larger landfills. As a result, landfills near urban areas can be massive and are potentially seen by hundreds of thousands of people daily. Views of refuse being deposited is generally minimal, but as soil cover is incrementally added, the overall emerging landform is often visually incompatible with the surrounding topography. Many landfills tend to be geometrically shaped with angular faces, sharp corners, and mesa-like tops resulting in a flat ridgeline silhouette which can be recognized from great distances. Visual disruptions related to landfill operations can last for decades, and views after closure/restoration are permanent. This project and report explore to what degree landfills can be aesthetically contoured to more closely replicate contextual topography while maintaining high overall fill capacity. The study site is the Puente Hills landfill located in the urbanized Los Angeles basin. Additionally, 43 other landfills in Los Angeles County were inventoried to analyze geometric form and visual quality. From this group, three candidate landfills were selected for in-depth cross-sectional analysis. Extensive 3D modeling, using both manual and parametric methods, was then performed on the Puente Hills landfill to test various aesthetic “sculpting” scenarios. Corresponding volume capacity gains/losses were compared between enhanced landfill options and a landfill of standard configuration serving as the control. Findings attempt to show that enhanced landfill contouring is possible within acceptable engineering practices which could lead to easier landfill permitting by reducing visual impacts to the viewing public. This project and report also demonstrate how landscape architects can influence the aesthetic integrity of large landscapes that typically fall within the domain of civil engineers

Green Infrastructure

The transportation industry has increasingly recognized the vital role sustainability serves in promoting and protecting the transportation infrastructure of the nation. Many state Departments of Transportation have correspondingly increased efforts to incorporate concepts of sustainability into the planning, design, and construction phases of projects and congruently adopted sustainability measures into their internal standard policies and procedures. Sustainably constructed highways foster economic development, promote stewardship of the environment, and solicit citizen involvement for an integrated, comprehensive approach to project planning. As part of an effort to understand the extent to which sustainable design and construction principles are being used, this report selects and analyzes three case studies involving previously completed KYTC projects and assesses their commitment to sustainable concepts. Specifically, this report examines the extent to which KYTC utilized sustainable concepts for each case study as described in FHWA’s INVEST rating system. This research effort comprised three components. First, KTC researchers analyzed KYTC’s policies and manuals for project planning, design, and construction and determined the extent to which INVEST criteria and related principles were incorporated into their standard processes. Second, KTC analyzed the individual case studies themselves, to include project plans and other relevant documentation. Finally, KTC conducted interviews with each of the KYTC district offices responsible for managing those previously completed projects and obtained feedback on the INVEST criteria used for each particular project. Following this approach, KTC validated and finalized the assigned scoring ratings for each case study in accordance with the INVEST scoring guidance. In summary, this report describes the sustainable concepts and corresponding INVEST scores for each project, presents a summary of the main findings, and provides recommendations for the way ahead