rethinking road planning and design workflows · • final alignment optimization • get...

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.


Forest roads are a major source of disturbancein forest development.


Our goal is to help engineers find

better road locations.

Reduce construction costs

Reduce environmental impact

Reduce cycle times

Improve safety


A new methodology for

planning and designing

forest roads using

accurate LiDAR data

and mathematical

optimization software.

How are we going to do it?


Road planning optimization

is not new.

However, applying these tools to imprecise map

data renders them impractical.

??

?


• 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…+)








• 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…+)








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…+)



• 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


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


Route

Selection &

Pre-Field

Design

Field

Verification

& Route

Selection

Design &

Construction

Documents

C/L Field

Survey

LiDARAir Photos

Terrain Maps

LiDAR-based Workflow


• 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


Route

Selection &

Pre-Field

Design

Field

Verification

& Route

Selection

Design &

Construction

Documents

C/L Field

Survey

LiDARAir Photos

Terrain Maps








• More route confirmation, less reconnaissance

• Identify unstable soils and regions, steams and wetlands, pit locations

• Assistance from LiDAR-enabled in-field solutions


Route

Selection &

Pre-Field

Design

Field

Verification

& Route

Selection

Design &

Construction

Documents

C/L Field

Survey

LiDARAir Photos

Terrain Maps









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


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


Handheld Field Software

• Enabled with LiDAR & GPS

• Road layout

check grades

check switchback locations

find alternate routes

• Cable logging deflection

analysis


Mathematical process to determine the lowest cost alignment which satisfies

constraints and standards.

Divided into vertical and horizontal optimization.

What is Geometric Design Optimization?


Vertical Optimization

Existing ground (LiDAR)

Preliminary Horizontal Alignment

Cross Section Geometry

Costs

Constraints

OPTIMIZATION






Costs

Constraints

• Cut / fill for sub-grade and surfacing materials

• Movement & loading costs• Additional costs: culverts, pit

opening costs, clearing and grubbing


• Min./max grades

• Min. K

• Fixed control points

(elevation or grade)

• Full bench sections

• Material movement direction





Costs

Constraints






Costs

Constraints

OPTIMIZATION

EarthworkMovementSchedule

$Cost

Optimal Alignment Geometry


OPTION 2

OPTION 1

A

BRoute Selection

Using Vertical

Optimization


Optimization Corridor

Optimized

Horizontal

Alignment

Horizontal Optimization

OPTION 1 OPTION 2

A

B


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