Question:

What is Corridor Modeling?

Answer:

The Corridor Modeling toolset is a group of highly interactive commands to create new design surfaces that represent a new roadway or other type of surface. Tools for creation, modification, management, and report functions are supported.

Corridor Modeling tools aggregates a variety of civil data. The geometry is created with the Horizontal and Vertical Geometry tools, while the existing ground is defined by a MicroStation mesh or Civil Terrain Model. Plan view elements, such as edges of pavement, shoulders, curbs, etc. can be 2D or 3D. Superelevation information is defined within a design file using standards or imported data. Templates are utilized from one or more template libraries.

Reference files can be used extensively with Corridor Modeling. On a simple project, the data may be all in one file; larger projects may have geometry in one file, plan view graphics in a second, terrain in another, superelevation in a fourth and the actual model in a fifth. All files can reference the others, to present a complete picture of the project.

When working with Corridor Modeling, you can draw in 2D or 3D. When using 2D (such as for plan-view graphics), a 3D view is automatically created and maintained. For example, when a vertical geometry element is initially defined for a horizontal geometry element, the Default-3D model is created, if there isn't one already. The 3D baseline (combination of horizontal and vertical element) is drawn into the 3D model. As template drops are added, and progressed, they are added to the 3D model automatically.

When starting to create a corridor, basic information can be used. A single template can be used, along with preliminary geometry and a high level terrain model. As the design progresses, more detail can be added. Instead of a single template drop, perhaps more templates better define the roadway. Transitions can be added to smoothly move from one template to another. There may be multiple roadways all interconnected using the target aliasing tools. All the while, as changes are made, the corridor model is updating, so you see up-to-the minute results. Simple projects may not require all the tools, and a basic corridor model may be sufficient. But all the tools are available to handle basic to complex, small-scale to large-scale projects.