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Adding Automatic Widening to Dynamic Offset Alignments

Product Documentation
Intermediate
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You can configure a dynamic offset alignment to automatically widen around horizontal curvatures of the parent alignment based on specified criteria.

You can control the widening values and transition lengths by specifying properties, such as the number of lanes, vehicle type, wheelbase lengths, design speeds, and so on, in a design criteria file associated with the parent alignment. You can also specify widening values and transition lengths manually by entering values into the Add Automatic Widening dialog box. The automatically widened curves remain dynamic to the parent alignment geometry based on the specified criteria.

When you use a design criteria file to specify widening methods, the rules that control automatic widening are specified in the Superelevation Tables and Widening Methods sections of the design criteria file.

The default corridor design standards file (_Autodesk Civil 3D Imperial Roadway Design Standards.xml) is typically stored in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\C3D <version>\enu\Data\Corridor Design Standards\Imperial.

Note

To use design criteria to specify automatic widening on an offset alignment, a valid design criteria file must be associated with the parent (centerline) alignment. If there is no design criteria file associated with the parent alignment, you are prompted to specify one.

The following procedures describe the two different methods that can be used to add automatic widening to an offset alignment (either using a criteria file or by specifying values manually):

  • using a criteria file - describes the procedure for specifying a design criteria file, associated with the parent alignment, and then specifying property values, and other parameters, using the Add Automatic Widening dialog box. The available choices for property values are predefined in the specified design criteria file.
  • manually specifying parameters - describes the procedure for manually specifying the widening rules by setting the Increase In Width property and the Transition Length property on the Add Automatic Widening dialog box.

To add automatic widening using design criteria

  1. In the drawing, click an offset alignment.
  2. Click Offset Alignment tabModify panelAdd Automatic Widening.

    If there is no valid criteria file associated with the parent alignment, you may be prompted to either select a criteria file, or to continue the current command. Click Select a Criteria File, then navigate to and select a design criteria file. The criteria file is associated with the parent alignment. After selecting the criteria file, the Add Automatic Widening dialog box is displayed. See Criteria-Based Alignment Design for more information.

    If there is a valid criteria file already associated with the parent alignment, the Add Automatic Widening dialog box is displayed.

  3. On the Add Automatic Widening dialog box, select one of the following: Along Entire Alignment, At Curves Without Widening, or At Selected Curves.
  4. Click the Specify Widening Using Criteria option.
  5. Click OK.

    The Offset Alignment Parameters dialog box is displayed.

  6. Configure appropriate parameters on the Offset Alignment Parameters dialog box.

To add automatic widening by manually specifying widening parameters

  1. In the drawing, click an offset alignment.
  2. Click Offset Alignment tabModify panelAdd Automatic Widening.

    This method can be used whether or not a design criteria file is associated with the parent alignment.

    If there is no valid criteria file associated with the parent alignment, you may be prompted to either select a criteria file, or to continue the current command. Click Continue the Current Command. The Add Automatic Widening dialog box is displayed.

    If there is a valid criteria file already associated with the parent alignment, this message does not display, and the Add Automatic Widening dialog box is displayed.

  3. On the Add Automatic Widening dialog box, select one of the following: Along Entire Alignment, At Curves without Widening, or At Selected Curves.
  4. Click the Specify Widening Manually option.
  5. In the Specify Widening Manually section, enter a value in the Increase in Width field to specify the widening value.
  6. Specify the value for Transition Length.
  7. Click OK.

    The Offset Alignment Parameters dialog box is displayed.

  8. Configure appropriate parameters on the Offset Alignment Parameters dialog box.

To add automatic widening at selected curves

  1. In the drawing, click an offset alignment.
  2. Click Offset Alignment tabModify panelAdd Automatic Widening.

    This method can be used whether or not a design criteria file is associated with the parent alignment.

    If there is no valid criteria file associated with the parent alignment, you are prompted to either select a criteria file, or to continue the current command. Click Continue the Current Command. The Add Automatic Widening dialog box is displayed.

    If there is a valid criteria file already associated with the parent alignment, this message does not display, and the Add Automatic Widening dialog box is displayed.

  3. On the Add Automatic Widening dialog box, select At Selected Curves.
  4. Click Select Curves Along Parent Alignment.
  5. In the drawing, click on the curves along the alignment that you want to apply automatic to. When you are finished selecting curves, press Enter. The Add Automatic Widening dialog box is displayed.
  6. Now you can proceed with specifying automatic widening either using criteria, or manually.

Ribbon

Click the offset alignment. Click Offset Alignment tab Modify panel Add Automatic Widening

Command Line

AddAutomaticWidening

Dialog Box

Add Automatic Widening


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