The wisconsin department of transportation operates an instrumented vehicle that collects both photolog and digitized geometric dataon roadway bearing, grade, and cross slope. These data are recordedevery 0.01 Mile. The objective of the research was to develop the methodology and computer software necessary to transform the digitized roadway data into a highway alignment data base for use in inventory studies, deficiency analyses, and preliminary design studies. Thesoftware created locates horizontal curves and provides estimates of the radius, length, superelevation, and maximum recommended speed.A vertical profile can be plotted, and the location of segments with either stopping or passing sight distance restrictions due to horizontal and vertical alignment are identified. The software was tested and validated by using as-built plan and profile data for a case study highway. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1239, Geometric design and operational effects.
Abstract