Chapter 4 - Vertical Alignment Optimization

Grade % - Enter the minimum and

maximum grade values in %.

Curvature (K) - This area allows you to

set curvature constraints.

Linear - If selected, the alignment will

be constrained to be a straight line (no
vertical curve) over the selected range.

Sag, Crest. - If not linear, the alignment

will be constrained to be greater than
the specified K values over the
selected range.

Figure 4-4: Standards Tab, for Curve and Grade Constraints

You have now applied the default grades (+/-10%, extracted from the Road Class Parameters) and
K=30 (design speed of approximately 80 km/h) to the entire alignment. It is possible, however, to
divide the alignment into intervals and set different Grade/K constraints for each interval.

Note: ".." in From Stn. is the beginning of the alignment, similarly ".." in the To Stn. field is the end of the
alignment.

Control Points Tab

Click on the Control Pts. tab.

Control points allow you to set the elevation and/or grade at specific points along the alignment. In
this example (a road re-alignment) it is important that the start and end of the alignment match the
existing road. The human engineered alignment provided meets this requirement, so you only need to
tell the optimizer to match the existing alignment at each end.

Define a control point at the start of the alignment:

a. Press the Add button at the bottom of the screen to add a new control point.
b. Select Start of alignment and press OK.
The Elevation (361.057m) has been automatically extracted from the existing alignment.

c. Check Enable Grade control.

d. Then, press the Get from Alignment button to match the initial grade (-2.49%).

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