Utilities

Road Utilities includes necessary routines to convert roadway data from other formats (including LandXML) to the formats used by SurvPC and other Carlson products such as Carlson Civil (formerly SurvCADD^™), Carlson Survey, Takeoff and Construction.

Options include:

• Centerline Conversion: Provides the ability to import alignment data from other sources and offers limited ability to export to alternate file types.
  More Information

  

  • Existing File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits an existing alignment file to be specified.
  • New File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits a new alignment file to be specified.
  • Conv. type: Indicate the type of file structure you wish to convert from/to.
    More Information

    Supported file types with primary file extensions include:

    • ASCII Inroads (.ASC)
    • ASCII LDD (.TXT)
    • Caice (.KCP)
    • CLIP (.PLA)
    • D40 (.D40)
    • Geopak (.OSD)
    • ISPOL (.ALI)
    • LandXML (.XML)

      Note: When the LandXML option is specified, additional controls are available.

      More Information

      Additional controls that are available when the LandXML option is specified include:

      • Report Settings: (gears) Located to the immediate left of the LandXML Meta Data report button is a control that permits a Gap Tolerance to be specified designed to bridge over any gaps introduced as a result of a poor precision setting.
      • Info (Meta-data): Located to the immediate left of the Orange Back Arrow is the LandXML Info button that summarizes the meta-data associated with the LandXML file.
      • Single: When enabled, you are permitted to specify a single alignment for processing. Alternatively, if the LandXML file contains multiple alignment definitions, all of them can be processed simultaneously.
    • Leica (.GSI)
    • MOSS (.INP)
    • SDMS (.ALI)
    • SDR (.SDR)
    • SMI Chain (.CH)
    • TDS (.RD5)

      Note: The TDS RD5 file is a dual centerline/profile file. Because the TDS RD5 file does not display the starting station, an extra dialog will appear requesting starting coordinates (which can be recalled from a point) and a starting station.

    • Terramodel/Geodimeter (.RLN, .ALN, .ARE)

    For reference, portions of four common file types are shown below, as they might display in a Text Editor. These displays may help you recognize these file types in the future.

    

  • Import to CL: Processes the data from the specified Conversion Type into the Carlson centerline format.
  • Export to [Conv. Type]: Processes the Carlson centerline format into that of the specified Conversion Type.
• Centerline Transformation: Provides the ability to apply a horizontal scale factor to alignment geometry (and station values, if desired).
  More Information

  

  Commonly used to convert centerline data between Metric/US Survey Feet distances, the image above shows the scale factor when converting from the International Foot to Metric.

  • Current CL: Displays the current centerline that is about to undergo transformation.
  • Select File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits an existing centerline to be specified.
  • Scale Factor: Indicate a preferred scale factor amount.
  • Apply scale factor for start station: When enabled, the stationing along the alignment will be converted using the scale factor.
  • Apply Scale Factor: When clicked, a Confirmation Alert is presented permitting the operation to be cancelled.
• Profile Conversion: Provides the ability to import profile data from other sources and offers limited ability to export to alternate file types.
  More Information

  

  • Existing File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits an existing profile file to be specified.
  • New File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits a new profile file to be specified.
  • Conv. type: Indicate the type of file structure you wish to convert from/to.
    More Information

    Supported file types with primary file extensions include:

    • ASCII Inroads (.ASC)
    • Caice (.KCP)
    • CLIP (.ALZ)
    • Geopak (.O*)
    • ISPOL (.RAS)
    • LandXML (.XML)

      Note: When the LandXML option is specified, an additional control is available.

      More Information

      • Single: When enabled, you are permitted to specify a single profile for processing. Alternatively, if the LandXML file contains multiple profile definitions, all of them can be processed simultaneously.
    • Leica (.GSI)
    • MOSS (.INP)
    • SDMS (.PRO)
    • SDR (.SDR)
    • SMI Chain (.CH)
    • TDS (.RD5)

      Note: The TDS RD5 file is a dual centerline/profile file. Because the TDS RD5 file does not display the starting station, an extra dialog will appear requesting starting coordinates (which can be recalled from a point) and a starting station/elevation.

    • Terramodel/Geodimeter (.RLN, .ALN, .ARE)
  • Import to PRO: Processes the data from the specified Conversion Type into the Carlson Profile format.
  • Export to [Conv. Type]: Processes the Carlson Profile format into that of the specified Conversion Type.

  Note: The format of the Carlson Profile (.PRO) file is simple and consists of a comma-separated format consisting of:

  Station, Elevation, Length of Vertical Curve(s), Description for road profiles

  0.0000, 997.0000 , 0.0000,
  200.0000, 1005.0000 , 200.0000, (200 foot vertical curve length)
  308.0000, 1003.9200 , 0.0000,
  0.0, 0.0, 0.0 (this is an "end-profile" line)
  

  Note: Unequal vertical curve lengths can be entered in the form 150-50, indicating:

  • 150 units from the VPI back to the VPC, and,
  • 50 units from the VPI to the VPT
• Profile Transformation: Provides the ability to apply a scale factor to the profile length (and/or translate station or elevation data, if desired).
  More Information

  

  Commonly used to convert profile data between Metric/US Survey Feet distances, the image above shows the scale factor when converting from the International Foot to Metric.

  • Current PRO: Displays the current profile that is about to undergo transformation.
  • Select File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits an existing profile to be specified.
  • Scale Factor: Indicate a preferred scale factor amount.
  • Apply scale factor for start station: When enabled, the stationing along the profile will be converted using the scale factor.
  • Translate: Displays a dialog box that permits a Change Station and/or Change Elevation value to be added at the currently selected VPI.
    More Information

    

    Note: By default, the entire range of stations is selected. If you wish to only translate a range, highlight the beginning station, then click End Station and highlight the end station.

  • Apply Scale Factor: When clicked, a Confirmation Alert is presented permitting the operation to be cancelled.
• Section File Conversion: Provides the ability to import cross-section data from other sources and offers limited ability to export to alternate file types.
  More Information

  

  Section files are used for Stake Slope, Stake Road and Elevation Difference.

  • Existing File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits an existing profile file to be specified.
  • New File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits a new profile file to be specified.
  • Conv. type: Indicate the type of file structure you wish to convert from/to.
    More Information

    Supported file types with primary file extensions include:

    • Caice (.FFF)
    • CLIP (.TRV)
    • D66 (.D66)
    • Geopak (.XRS, .XSR, .SOE & .TXT)
    • IGRDS (.LIS, .RDS & .TXT)
    • Inroads (.TXT)
    • ISPOL (.SC1 & .RAS)
    • LandXML (.XML)

      Note: When the LandXML option is specified, an additional control is available.

      More Information

      • Single: When enabled, you are permitted to specify a single section entry for processing. Alternatively, if the LandXML file contains multiple section definitions, all of them can be processed simultaneously.
    • SMI Chain (.CH & .PRO)
    • Columnar Text (.TXT, CSV & .ASC)
    • TDS (.RD5)

      Note: TDS will store cross-sections in an RD5 format that behave as a series of templates, following "rules" for slopes coming from the design profile grade. You can import TDS-style cross-sections using Input-Edit Template Series and changing "Files of Type" to TDS.

    • Terramodel/Geodimeter (.XSC)
  • Import to SCT: Processes the data from the specified Conversion Type into the Carlson Section format.
  • Export to [Conv. Type]: Processes the Carlson Section format into that of the specified Conversion Type.

    Note: To export to LandXML, it is recommended that you specify a LandXML file that already contains a centerline covering all or part of the station range in the SCT cross-section file. Doing so allows you to select among the centerline alignments when making the cross-section file.

  Section Files in SurvPC can contain descriptions useful for reference in other routines such as Stake Road. If descriptions are found in the source section file, they will be captured by the import process into the ".sct" file for use in SurvPC.

  Pipe Sections

  Pipes running longitudinally along horizontal alignments can be imported in the form of cross-sections using the Columnar Text option. The example below shows the layout of the pipe format that is recognized by SurvPC which can be staked via the Stake Road - Section option:

  STA,Offset,FL elev.,Link - ID,Link - Library Item,Type
  1+00.00,15.13,492.32,NP-26,24" RCP,T
  2+00.00,-15.61,492.08,NP-1,18" CMP,T
  2+00.00,15.63,492.02,NP-26,24" RCP,T
  3+00.00,-15.58,491.78,NP-1,18" CMP,T
  3+00.00,15.15,491.73,NP-27,20" RCP,T
  4+00.00,-15.00,490.22,NP-1,18" CMP,T
  4+00.00,15.92,491.45,NP-27,20" RCP,T
  

  Note: The ability of the program to display the pipe size is placed into the fifth field on the ASCII file shown above.

• Input-Edit Section File: Provides the ability to create new cross-section data or edit existing cross-section data which is often used for Slope Staking.
  More Information

  

  • Add: Use this button to add a new Station into the current section list.
    More Information

    

    • Edit Station: Use this control to set the Station of the cross-section data (the various offsets/elevations that are points of interest).
    • Add: Use this button to add a new point of interest on the cross-section.

      Note: You don't have to highlight the correct offset when adding a new entry — the software will sort and place the new entry appropriately.

      Note: The Add routine leads to the same entry dialog as Edit.

    • Edit: Use this button to modify the currently selected point of interest on the cross-section.
      More Information

      

      • Offset: Indicate the horizontal distance away from the reference Centerline for the point of interest.

        Note: Cross-section offsets are negative for left of centerline and positive for right of centerline.

      • Elevation: Indicate the elevation for the point of interest.
      • Description: A user-defined description (e.g. EP, SH, BC, FS, etc) can be specified for the point of interest.

        Note: These descriptions, where they exist, are potentially useful for description-based interpolation between stations, as applied in Stake Road.

        Note: The standard Code List can be used to set the description of the point and when coupled with a related Feature Code can automate symbol and/or linework as displayed in the Map Screen.

    • Remove: Use this button to delete the currently selected point of interest from the current cross-section.
    • Up/Down: Re-orders the currently selected point of interest of the cross-section Up or Down within the offset/elevation list, respectively.

      Note: Up and Down should normally not be used unless an Section File conversion led to an out-of-order listing of offsets and elevations.

    • Clear: Use this button to remove all offset/elevation points of interest from the current cross-section.
  • Edit: Use this button to modify the selected (highlighted) Station.

    Note:The Edit routine leads to the same entry dialog as Add.

  • Remove: Use this button to remove the selected (highlighted) Station.
  • Clear: Use this button to remove all sections from the section file.
  • EQ: Use this button to establish a designated Centerline that is associated with the data file.

    Note: For centerlines that have one or more Station Equations defined, an additional EQ toggle (not shown above) will appear allowing you to indicate whether or not the equation disconituity(ies) should be used.

    More Information

    

  • Load: Launches the standard File Selector that allows you to load an existing cross-section file for review or edit.
  • Save As: Launches the standard File Selector that permits the data to be saved to an existing or new *.SCT file.
• Input-Edit Superelevation File: Provides the ability to create new superelevation data or edit existing superelevation data.
  More Information

  

  Superelevation data can serve as an optional input file and react with Templates in commands such as Stake Road, Stake Slope and Elevation Difference - Road Design.

  • Add: Use this button to add a new superelevation data set.

    Note: The Add routine leads to the same entry dialog as Edit.

  • Edit: Use this button to modify the currently selected superelevation data set.
    More Information

    

    

    1. Zone 1 - Commonly known as the Runout (also known as the "Tangent" Runout) length, the outside edge pivots to 0% "flat" where "Adverse Crown" occurs.
    2. Zone 2 - The outside edge pivots to "Reverse Crown," where the slope is uniform across the template.
    3. Zone 3 - Both the inside and outside edges pivot about the hinge point (commonly the Centerline for undivided templates) into Full Super.

    Note: The length of Zone 2 and Zone 3 is commonly referred to as the Runoff length.

    • Begin Transition: Indicate the station value at which the outside edge begins to pivot (reference A).
    • Begin Run-In: Indicate the station value at which the slope to the outside edge is flat (reference B).
    • Reverse Crown rate in: Indicate the station value where the slope from the inside edge to outside becomes a uniform Grade Slope (reference C).
    • Grade Slope: Indicate the cross-slope used to establish a Normal Crown.
    • Design Speed: Indicate the target design speed for which the superelevation is being applied.
    • Curve Type: Indicate the type of curve geometry being used for the superelevation data set.

      Note: For curves that are comprised of:

      • Tangent, Spiral, Arc: Common practice is to apply the entire superelevation transition in the spiral itself.
      • Tangent, Arc: Common practice is to apply the majority of superelevation transition in the tangent and the remainder in the arc. Common amounts include:
        • ⅔/⅓: Two-thirds of the total superelevation transition occurs prior to the PC with one-third immediately following the PC.
        • 70%/30%: Seventy percent of the total superelevation transition occurs prior to the PC with thirty percent immediately following the PC.

        Note: These amounts can/will vary based on local government and/or site requirements.

    • Max. slope of Full Super: Indicate the maximum superelevation grade that will be used in the curve.

      Note: The Max. slope of Full Super is always entered as a positive percent slope; the road centerline curve direction will control the direction of pivot.

    • Begin Full Super: Indicate the station value where the slope from the inside edge to outside edge becomes the Max. slope of Full Super value (reference D).
    • End Full Super: Indicate the last station value where the slope from the inside edge to outside edge remains the Max. slope of Full Super value (reference D').
    • Reverse Crown rate out: Indicate the station value where the slope from the inside edge to outside edge returns to the Grade Slope (reference C').
    • Reverse Curve: Used in situations where the separation distance between curves is too short to accommodate the Tangent Runout distances for the two superelevation data sets (often in immediate reverse curvature situations). When enabled, the End Run-off and End Transition controls of the outbound superelevation are disabled as are the Begin Transition and Begin Run-In controls of the next inbound superelevation data set. In this situation, a linear superelevation transition will occur between the Reverse Crown rate out and the subsequent Reverse Crown rate in.
    • End Run-off: Indicate the station value at which the slope to the outside edge is flat (reference B').
    • End Transition: Indicate the station value at which the outside edge returns to the Grade Slope (reference A').

    Superelevation Example

    Let's say, for simplicity, that we have a road with a -2% "normal crown" which has one curve to the left (PC Station 4+50, PT Station 15+50) where 70% of the transition is to occur in the tangent and 30% in the circular curve, with the following information:

    Superelevation Example

    Superelevation Key Values	Station Values
    Full Super Slope	3%
    Total Transition Length	500'

    From the information above, we can deduce:

    1. the total slope change is 5% = 3% (max super) - -2% (normal crown), and,
    2. the amount of superelevation transition that occurs in the tangent is 350' = 500' * 0.70, and,
    3. the amount of superelevation transition that occurs in the curve is 150' = 500' * 0.30.

    In the example above, each 1% of slope change occurs over 100 feet (Δs) assuming an even rate of transition.

    Since we know the PC/PT stations of the curve(s) along an alignment, we can then determine the stations for the various transition points:

    • Begin Transition: 1+00 = 4+50 - 350'
    • Adverse Crown In: 3+00 = 1+00 + 2 * Δs
    • Reverse Crown In: 5+00 = 3+00 + 2 * Δs
    • Begin Full Super: 6+00 = 4+50 + 150'
    • End Full Super: 14+00 = 15+50 - 150'
    • End Transition: 19+00 = 15+50 + 350', working backward from here:
    • Adverse Crown Out: 17+00 = 19+00 - 2 * Δs
    • Reverse Crown Out: 15+00 = 17+00 - 2 * Δs
  • Remove: Use this button to remove the selected (highlighted) superelevation data set.
  • Clear: Use this button to remove all superelevation data sets from the file.
  • EQ: Use this button to establish a designated Centerline that is associated with the superelevation data set.

    Note: For centerlines that have one or more Station Equations defined, an additional EQ toggle (not shown above) will appear allowing you to indicate whether or not the equation disconituity(ies) should be used.

    More Information

    

  • Load: Launches the standard File Selector that allows you to load an existing superelevation file for review or edit.
  • Save As: Launches the standard File Selector that permits the data to be saved to an existing or new *.SUP file.
• Input-Edit Template Series: Provides a method of widening lanes or causing templates to change (direct template-to-template transitioning). Specify the station where one template ends and the station where another template begins, and the program auto-transitions between templates.

  Note: In most routines that commonly use a Template File, the Template Series File (*.TSF) can be used by changing the File Type in the standard File Selector from *.TPL to *.TSF.

  More Information

  

  Note: For the transition to work optimally, the templates should share the same IDs (e.g. EP, SH, etc) so that the program has explicit information on how to properly transition between different slopes and/or widths between ID points within the templates.

  • Clear: (icon) Located to the immediate left of the Orange Back Arrow, use this button to remove all template series locations from the file.
  • Add: Use this button to add a new template series location.

    Note: The Add routine leads to the same entry dialog as Edit.

  • Edit: Use this button to modify the currently selected template series location.
    More Information

    

    • Station: Indicate the Station where the specified template is to be used.
    • Template: Shows the current Template that will be applied.
    • EQ: Use this button to establish a designated Centerline that is associated with the template.
    • Select File: Launches the standard File Selector that permits a template of interest to be specified.
  • Remove: Use this button to remove the selected (highlighted) template series location.
  • Draw Template: Use this button to launch the Draw Template to preview the template associated with the currently selected template series entry.
  • Load: Launches the standard File Selector that allows you to load an existing template series location file for review or edit.

    Note: You can load an existing TDS template series file, in the RD5 format, by clicking the Type (of File) and selecting the TDS format. TDS templates always have IDs and the same number of template points per cross-section, so once imported, they behave exactly like SurvPC-defined templates.

  • Save: Use this button to immediately save any changes to the active *.TSF file.
  • Save As: Launches the standard File Selector that permits the data to be saved to an existing or new *.TSF file.
  • EQ: Use this button to establish a designated Centerline that is associated with the template series locations.

    Note: For centerlines that have one or more Station Equations defined, an additional EQ toggle (not shown above) will appear allowing you to indicate whether or not the equation disconituity(ies) should be used.

    More Information

    

• Input-Edit Template Grade Table: Provides the ability to override default template geometry to accommodate specific grade or offsets at designated stations.

  Note: For Template IDs that have grade table instructions defined for them, the Table column will reflect Yes.

  More Information

  

  Used for more complex road design considerations (e.g. matching existing pavement cross-slopes, pavement widening/narrowing and/or slopes that do not follow a simple superelevation pattern but instead adapt to meet grades of intersecting roads, these scenarios can be met through the Template Grade Table feature. Although Template Series Files can be used to model any road, the creation of multiple templates, including all lanes with varied width and/or slope considerations, can be a labor-intensive process compared to entering the precise slope and width for particular template ID points. These slopes/widths are often provided in tabular form in the design documents, so direct entry of the slope/width data, applied to the appropriate template ID or several IDs, is often the most efficient way to handle complex road conditions.

  • Clear: (icon) Located to the immediate left of the Orange Back Arrow, use this button to remove all template grade data from the file.
  • Load TPL: Launches the standard File Selector that permits a reference Template (*.TPL) file to be specified.
  • Report: Provides a summary of any established variations to the definition of the specified template.
    More Information

    

  • Edit: Use this button to modify placement instructions for the currently selected Template ID.
    More Information

    

    • Clear: (icon) Located to the immediate left of ✅, use this button to remove all template grade data for the current Template ID and Side.
    • Station: Indicate the Station where the variance to the default Template ID slope/offset should occur.
    • Slope: Indicate the desired change of Slope (if any) to occur at the Station.
    • Distance: Indicate the desired change of Offset (if any) to occur at the Station.
    • Show as Ratio: When enabled, the Slope value will render as a horizontal distance change per 1 unit of vertical change.
    • Show Zeroes: When disabled, trailing zeroes (0) will be suppressed to help simplify the amount being presented.
    • Delete Item: Removes the currently selected (highlighted) entry from the Grade List.
    • Add Item: Adds the specified Station data with the Slope and/or Distance variance.
  • EQ: Use this button to establish a designated Centerline that is associated with the template series locations.
  • Save: Launches the standard File Selector that permits the data to be saved to an existing or new *.TGT file.

Note: The format and precision of the station values is controlled through the Job Settings - Station Display setting.

Note: The LandXML file format is an industry-accepted standard for sharing land-development data and is a preferred file format for many Departments of Transportation (DOTs). LandXML files have an ".xml" extension and can be structured to store multiple road design files (centerlines, profiles, cross-sections, etc), coordinate, surface files, etc.

Note: For file types in which both Import and Export options are available, the conversion procedure forms a "criss-cross"… you specify an "Existing" file that contains data of interest and name a "Select New" file that is to receive the data. When the files have been selected, the appropriate action becomes available.

Note: It is recommended that after converting Centerlines, Profiles or Cross-section files into the SurvPC format that you review the data through their respective "Edit" routines to verify that the conversion was successful.