Rethinking Road Planning
and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR
Craig SpeirsSoftree Technical Systems
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Forest road construction is one of the
most expensivecomponents of
timber harvesting.
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Forest roads are a major source of disturbancein forest development.
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Our goal is to help engineers find
better road locations.
Reduce construction costs
Reduce environmental impact
Reduce cycle times
Improve safety
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
A new methodology for
planning and designing
forest roads using
accurate LiDAR data
and mathematical
optimization software.
How are we going to do it?
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Road planning optimization
is not new.
However, applying these tools to imprecise map
data renders them impractical.
??
?
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Done for contractual documentation or permitting
• Cost estimates are available
• Centerline & side shot survey (typically compass and chain)
• Can be inaccurate
• Labour-intensive
• Identify unstable soils and regions, steams and wetlands
• Confirm grades and switchback locations
• Labour intensive investigation of route alternatives
Contour Maps
Air Photos
Terrain Maps
Route “Area of
Interest”
Selection
Traditional Workflow
• Identify suitable alignments
• Road pegging for grades & switchback locations
• No geometric design
• No detailed cost information
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
L2 Field Survey
(C/L, side
shots…+)
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Done for contractual documentation or permitting
• Cost estimates are available
• Centerline & side shot survey (typically compass and chain)
• Can be inaccurate
• Labour-intensive
• Identify unstable soils and regions, steams and wetlands
• Confirm grades and switchback locations
• Labour intensive investigation of route alternatives
Contour Maps
Air Photos
Terrain Maps
Route “Area of
Interest”
Selection
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Traditional WorkflowDesign &
Construction
Documents
L2 Field Survey
(C/L, side
shots…+)
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Done for contractual documentation or permitting
• Cost estimates are available
• Centerline & side shot survey (typically compass and chain)
• Can be inaccurate
• Labour-intensive
Contour Maps
Air Photos
Terrain Maps
Route “Area of
Interest”
Selection
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
L2 Field Survey
(C/L, side
shots…+)
Traditional Workflow
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Done for contractual documentation or permitting
• Cost estimates are available
Contour Maps
Air Photos
Terrain Maps
Route “Area of
Interest”
Selection
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
L2 Field Survey
(C/L, side
shots…+)
Traditional Workflow
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
• 63% of forestry companies using LiDAR now, +18% in the near future
• Lower acquisition costs
• Quicker return on investmentTime
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
LiDAR Usage
in the Forest
Industry
Increasing Use of LiDAR in the Forest Industry
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
A new methodology for road planning using:
• Improved engineering &
route selection
• Improved field time
• Reduced construction costs
Opportunity to improve the workflow
Accurate LiDAR Data
Geometric Design Optimization Software
LiDAR-based Field Software
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Route
Selection &
Pre-Field
Design
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
C/L Field
Survey
LiDARAir Photos
Terrain Maps
LiDAR-based Workflow
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Final alignment optimization
• Get construction quantities and updated costs
• Centerline survey (compass and chain or GPS)
• Uses LiDAR for side-shots
• Less time-intensive compared to L2 side-shot survey
• More route confirmation, less reconnaissance
• Identify unstable soils and regions, steams and wetlands, pit locations
• Assistance from LiDAR-enabled in-field solutions
• Quickly locate & optimize alignments (with Geometric Optimization Software)
• Compare costs and quantities
• Review geometry and cross sections for stability, safety, etc. before going to the field
• Prepare digital map and design data for field use
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Route
Selection &
Pre-Field
Design
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
C/L Field
Survey
LiDARAir Photos
Terrain Maps
LiDAR-based Workflow
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Final alignment optimization
• Get construction quantities and updated costs
• Centerline survey (compass and chain or GPS)
• Uses LiDAR for side-shots
• Less time-intensive compared to L2 side-shot survey
• More route confirmation, less reconnaissance
• Identify unstable soils and regions, steams and wetlands, pit locations
• Assistance from LiDAR-enabled in-field solutions
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Route
Selection &
Pre-Field
Design
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
C/L Field
Survey
LiDARAir Photos
Terrain Maps
LiDAR-based Workflow
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Final alignment optimization
• Get construction quantities and updated costs
• Centerline survey (compass and chain or GPS)
• Uses LiDAR for side-shots
• Less time-intensive compared to L2 side-shot survey
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Route
Selection &
Pre-Field
Design
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
C/L Field
Survey
LiDARAir Photos
Terrain Maps
LiDAR-based Workflow
• Geometric design: plans, profiles, cross-sections
• Final alignment optimization
• Get construction quantities and updated costs
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Route
Selection &
Pre-Field
Design
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
C/L Field
Survey
LiDARAir Photos
Terrain Maps
Optimization Software Use
Geometric OptimizationSoftware
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Route
Selection &
Pre-Field
Design
Field
Verification
& Route
Selection
Design &
Construction
Documents
C/L Field
Survey
COST ESTIMATEAVAILABLE
LiDARAir Photos
Terrain Maps
LiDAR Field Solution Software Use
Handheld Field Solutions
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Handheld Field Software
• Enabled with LiDAR & GPS
• Road layout
check grades
check switchback locations
find alternate routes
• Cable logging deflection
analysis
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Mathematical process to determine the lowest cost alignment which satisfies
constraints and standards.
Divided into vertical and horizontal optimization.
What is Geometric Design Optimization?
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Vertical Optimization
Existing ground (LiDAR)
Preliminary Horizontal Alignment
Cross Section Geometry
Costs
Constraints
OPTIMIZATION
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Vertical Optimization
Existing ground (LiDAR)
Preliminary Horizontal Alignment
Cross Section Geometry
Costs
Constraints
• Cut / fill for sub-grade and surfacing materials
• Movement & loading costs• Additional costs: culverts, pit
opening costs, clearing and grubbing
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
• Min./max grades
• Min. K
• Fixed control points
(elevation or grade)
• Full bench sections
• Material movement direction
Vertical Optimization
Existing ground (LiDAR)
Preliminary Horizontal Alignment
Cross Section Geometry
Costs
Constraints
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Vertical Optimization
Existing ground (LiDAR)
Preliminary Horizontal Alignment
Cross Section Geometry
Costs
Constraints
OPTIMIZATION
EarthworkMovementSchedule
$Cost
Optimal Alignment Geometry
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
OPTION 2
OPTION 1
A
BRoute Selection
Using Vertical
Optimization
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Optimization Corridor
Optimized
Horizontal
Alignment
Horizontal Optimization
OPTION 1 OPTION 2
A
B
Rethinking Road Planning and Design Workflows: Unlocking the Potential of LiDAR with New Optimization Technology
Efficiencies
Reduced engineering time
Lower earthwork &
construction costs
Better road location
Improved early stage planning and costing
Improved usage of field time
Benefits
Thank You