Hello again!
From time to time I wonder how better is to use turnouts.
Is there some practical reason that the horizontal alignment geometry (created by connection editor) to be placed separated from adjacent geometry?
This is very unpractical, every time I add turnout I need to create new horizontal alignment by selecting elements from the old (adjacent) HA and the new HA from the turnout (there is no option as I know, to be created merged). Because I need my starting point in longitudinal profile to be the beginning of the turnout (I need them as single alignment).
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There isn't option that allows to annotate turnouts in curvature tab (profile annotation). Current option for annotate in profile does not give enough freedom.
Can you list the pros and cons of this feature?
The cons that I listed are enough to make me abandon this function.
Can you describe how you use this function, and for which purposes ( plan annotation profile annotating, alignment design, PROL etc., )
Hi, Richard! Thank you for your reply! If I have existing alignment. Very complex one, and I want just to add some turnouts on both ends. The Connection Editor creates new alignment for every turnout that I want to add to that existing alignment. Then to have all in one ( because I want to create longitudinal profile through the turnouts as well) I must recreate all horizontal and vertical geometry in some third alignment (or fourth if I want turnouts on both ends). --- As I understand from your post, if I want to create new track in some Station that departs from the main track, I must create it in Turnout Connection Editor? --- Is there any solution that can allow me to create longitudinal profile that instead to stop in .1 on turnout, to continue trough the other alignment ? --- Regards, A.M.
(BRT V08.11.07.685, on MS, SS 2)
Unknown said:Turnouts are placed on a main track that can be fully defined horizontal+vertical+cant. So you can manage the profile along the main track.
You mean I can use the main alignment profile as profile for the branch alignment?
Unknown said:When you place a turnout it is the begining of a new path: the branch.
You mean 1. as beginning of the branch alignment. Yes I agree it must be 1. the beginning of the new alignment.
Unknown said:There is no automatic way to switch main and branch using connection editor. A new alignment is created from .1 and you can't link the elements of the main line preceding (or following .1) to create the new alignment using the connection editor.
This was old issue. In my previous post I raised other question. I will visualize it to be more clear.
This is my main alignment:
Before the curve I want some turnout to emerge from the Main have a curve and go back to the main trough other turnout. I made a parallel alignment at 5m offset:
Placed turnout on the main line. Now I can annotate them on the longitudinal profile of the Main alignment:
3 more thinks I want to create - alignment from 1. of the first turnout to the 1. of the second turnout trough their trailing directions (Second alignment); Display the turnouts in longitudinal profile of the Second alignment. Create Shunt points in plan.
Now i must use the connection editor to connect the first turnout and Second alignment:
This creates new alignment named 1.For this alignment I can display the turnout in lingitudinal profile:
But this alignment don't contains the elements of Second. And I must add them manually:
So far so good. But now I must add the second turnout, for the purpose to annotate the turnout in longitudinal profile of "1" whom will work as Second from now one.
On other hand if I create new alignment using connection editor, and add all other elements. This new alignment will be associated whit that second turnout, and I will be able to annotate it in longitudinal profile. But the first turnout will be not associated whit it.
Unknown said:The only way is to do it manually to create your own path. Not easy to manage.
This is my current way. Not so hard. But I can't display turnouts in longitudinal profile and shunt points.
The only way to create longitudinal profile trough Second alignment that include those turnouts (from 1. to 1. trough trailing directions ), is to use Connection editor as turnout to turnout, and add all geometry of Second alignment in it.
This will work for this case that I show, because the geometry is simple (if I need parallel element I must add same radius and same length as the curve of the turnout). But in cases that I have many curves this will be labor intensive.
Just look ...
Unknown said:Do you really need a single path ? It must be possible also to draw this profile using both alignments and set stations start/end and fixing the same datum. A little longer to get the profile but easier to manage connections.
This way I will have 3 alignments for every track from 1. to 1.
For every track I must create suitable vertical alignment, but in level there is some complexities too, and to be sure that it will be correct in levels, I must create one alignment that contains all of them anyway.
Trough this much pain I rater prefer to display the turnout and shunt points by hand :D
All this pain can be easily erased whit one simple solution. The Connection editor to work like Multiple element regression analysis - to merge solution to the targeted alignment.
Very often Save As command can't save all elements, instead creates one element with 0,000 m length.
P.S. I find its caused by different stationing direction off alignment and solution.
From 2-3 days work actively whit turnouts. Starting to like it. Still there is some issues that can be fixed.
1. Still recommend to be added option to save the new elements to the target alignment, and turnout be associated whit those alignment. (Connection Editor)
2. Option to manage association of turnouts.
3. Option to can change place(Station) and type(all preferences) of placed turnout.
4. Add option for "Add after"; "Add before" - turnout ( Connection Editor; Multiple Element Regression Analysis)
5. Alternative name of turnout. (I have in one geometry project 2 yards, and the numbering of turnouts in both starts from 1)
I have this example for point 2.
The trick for trash alignment did not work here.
P.S. Surprisingly after deleting of trash alignment the turnout suddenly become associated with the new one?! That because of nearness or something else?
I can add more:
6. Making easier viewing to whom alignment is associated the turnout.
7. The shunt points are calculated by the associated alignments, but sometimes there is other alignment that must be taken into account.
To readers - please "like" if you want to see this changes implemented in the program.