A comprehensive highway cost model can be used for optimizing highway alignments subject to a number of design constraints. Because a geographic information system (GIS) can spatially represent the locations of properties, floodplains, streams, and other geographical characteristics of significance in a highway cost model, it can provide valuable input to a highway design optimization model. Additionally, a GIS-based model can be developed to compute geographically sensitive costs to be used with an iterative optimization scheme. However, connecting a GIS to a highway optimization model requires full automation of an entire search process in which there is a continuous exchange of inputs and outputs until the optimized solution is obtained. An integrated model is developed by linking a GIS model with an optimization model employing genetic algorithms (GAs). The GIS model provides accurate geographical features, computes location-dependent costs, and transmits these costs to an external program. That program computes length-dependent costs and user costs and then, using GAs, optimizes the highway alignment to minimize the sum of all costs. An example study using real land use and environmental features is presented for a part of Talbot County, Maryland. The computational performance of the integrated model is assessed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
JongJ.Optimizing Highway Alignment with Genetic Algorithms. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Maryland, College Park, 1998.
2.
LauriniR., and ThompsonD.. Fundamentals of Spatial Information Systems. The APIC Series. Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., 1992.
3.
HansonS.The Geography of Urban Transportation. Guilford Press, New York, 1995.
4.
MoavenzadehF., BeckerM., and ParodyT.. Highway Cost Model Operating Instructions and Program Documentation. Report on Contract DOT-OS-00096. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 1973.
5.
WatanatadaT., HarralC. G., PatersonW. D. O., DhareshwarA. M., BhandariA., and TsunokawaK.. The Highway Design and Maintenance Standards Model. Volume 1, Description of the HDM-III Model. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Md., 1987.
6.
KrammesR. A.Interactive Highway Safety Design Model: Design Consistency Module. Public Roads, Vol. 61, No. 2, September/October1997, pp. 47–51.
7.
HowardB. E., BrammickZ., and ShawJ. F. B.. Optimum Curvature Principle in Highway Routing. Journal of the Highway Division, Vol. 94, No. HW1, 1968, pp. 61–82.
8.
ThomsonN. R., and SykesJ. F.. Route Selection Through a Dynamic Ice Field Using the Maximum Principle. Transportation Research, Vol. 22B, No. 5, May1988, pp. 339–356.
9.
ShawJ. F. B., and HowardB. E.. Comparison of Two Integration Methods in Transportation Routing. In Transportation Research Record 806, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1981, pp. 8–13.
10.
ShawJ. F. B., and HowardB. E.. Expressway Route Optimization by OCP. Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Vol. 108, No. TE3, 1982, pp. 227–243.
11.
Optimisation of Road Alignment by the Use of Computers. Organization of Economic Co-Operation and Development, Paris, 1973.
12.
TurnerA. K., and MilesR. D.. The CGARS System: A Computer-Assisted Method of Regional Route Location. In Highway Research Record 348, HRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1971, pp. 1–15.
13.
TurnerA. K.A Decade of Experience in Computer Aided Route Selection. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, Vol. 44, 1978, pp. 1561–1576.
14.
AthanassoulisG. C., and CalogeroV.. Optimal Location of a New Highway from A to B—A Computer Technique for Route Planning. PTRC Seminar Proceedings on Cost Models and Optimization in Highways (Session L9), London, 1973.
15.
ParkerN. A.Rural Highway Route Corridor Selection. Transportation Planning and Technology, Vol. 3, 1977, pp. 247–256.
16.
TrietschD.A Family of Methods for Preliminary Highway Alignment. Transportation Science, Vol. 21, No. 1, 1987, pp. 17–25.
17.
TrietschD.Comprehensive Design of Highway Networks. Transportation Science, Vol. 21, No. 1, 1987, pp. 26–35.
18.
HoganJ. D.Experience with OPTLOC—Optimum Location of Highways by Computer. PTRC Seminar Proceedings on Cost Models and Optimization in Highways (Session L10), London, 1973.
19.
NicholsonA. J., ElmsD. G., and WillimanA.. A Variational Approach to Optimal Route Location. The Journal of the Institution of Highway Engineers, Vol. 23, March1976, pp. 22–25.
20.
SimkowitzH. J.GIS: Technology for Transportation. Civil Engineering, Vol. 59, No. 6, June1989, pp. 72–75.
21.
AbkowitzM., WalshS., HauserE., and MinorL.. Adaptation of Geographic Information Systems to Highway Management. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 116, No. 3, May/June1990, pp. 310–327.
22.
EvansT. A., DjokicD., and MaidmentD. R.. Development and Application of Expert Geographic Information System. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 3, July1993, pp. 339–353.
23.
HammadA., ItohY., and NishidoT.. Bridge Planning Using GIS and Expert System Approach. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 3, July1993, pp. 278–295.
24.
WarwickJ. J., and HanessS. J.. Accurate Polygon Centroid Computation Using ARC/INFO GIS. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 3, July1993, pp. 388–392.
25.
LammR., GuentherA. K., and GrunwaldB.. Environmental Impact on Highway Geometric Design in Western Europe Based on a Geographical Information System. In Transportation Research Record 1445, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1994, pp. 54–63.
26.
SarasuaW. A.A GIS-based Traffic Signal Coordination and Information Management System. Microcomputers in Civil Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 9, September1994, pp. 235–250.
27.
LeeH., and CloverP.. GIS-based Highway Design Review System to Improve Constructability of Design. Journal of Advanced Transportation, Vol. 29, No. 3, March1995, pp. 375–388.
28.
BartlettR. E.GIS-CAD and the New Urban Planning Universe. ITE Journal, Vol. 66, No. 1, January1996, pp. 47–49.
29.
OliveraF., and MaidmentD.. Geographic Information System Use for Hydrologic Data Development for Design of Highway Drainage Facilities. In Transportation Research Record 1625, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1998, pp. 131–138.
30.
VersenyiJ. H., HoldstockD. A., and FischerT.. Considering the Alternatives: GIS Identifies Nine Possibilities for Highway Connection. Geo Info Systems, Vol. 4, No. 9, September1994, pp. 43–45.
31.
JourquinB., and BeutheM.. Transportation Policy Analysis with a Geographic Information System: The Virtual Network of Freight Transportation in Europe. Transportation Research, Vol. 4C, No. 6, Dec.1996, pp. 359–371.
32.
VandermarkB., and CorbleyK.. Accurate Basemap Development. Public Works, Vol. 127, No. 3, March1996, pp. 53–54.
33.
GilbrookM. J.GIS Paves the Way. Civil Engineering, Vol. 69, No. 11, November1999, pp. 34–39.
34.
LettreM., GarberJ., DaddB., and BakerT.. MDProperty View—Desktop Electronic Property Map and Parcel Data Analysis. Document Management, Vol. 7, July/August1997, pp. 18–19.
35.
JongJ.-C., and SchonfeldP.. Cost Functions for Optimizing Highway Alignments. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1659, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1999, pp. 58–67.
36.
A Manual on User Benefit Analysis of Highway and Bus-Transit Improvements. AASHTO, Washington, D.C., 1977.
37.
A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets. AASHTO, Washington, D.C., 1994.
38.
Using Avenue. Environmental Systems Research Institute, Redlands, Calif., 1996.
39.
Using Arc View GIS. Environmental Systems Research Institute, Redlands, Calif., 1996.
