Computer-implemented method and system for designing transportation routes
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for designing transportation routes, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying linear constraints of allowable grades to be met in respect of at least one of said transportation routes,(b) obtaining route profile 3-D coordinates showing land heights at sampled points along each of said at least one transportation route prior to construction thereof,(c) supplying cost estimates per working unit in respect of land-cut and land-fill operations, and(d) computing a height profile of said at least one transportation route which meets said constraints and for which said land-cut and land-fill operations are adjusted to give a minimum cost by replacing all non-linear constraints by equivalent linear constraints so as to render the height profile solving using standard linear programming tools.
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Abstract
A computer-implemented method and system for designing transportation routes, wherein design criteria to be met in respect of at least one of said transportation routes are supplied and route profile data are obtained showing land heights at sampled points along each of said at least one transportation route. Per-unit cost estimates in respect of land-cut and land-fill operations are supplied, and a height profile is computed of the at least one transportation route which meets the design criteria and for which the land-cut and land-fill operations are adjusted to give a minimum cost.
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27 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for designing transportation routes, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) supplying linear constraints of allowable grades to be met in respect of at least one of said transportation routes, (b) obtaining route profile 3-D coordinates showing land heights at sampled points along each of said at least one transportation route prior to construction thereof, (c) supplying cost estimates per working unit in respect of land-cut and land-fill operations, and (d) computing a height profile of said at least one transportation route which meets said constraints and for which said land-cut and land-fill operations are adjusted to give a minimum cost by replacing all non-linear constraints by equivalent linear constraints so as to render the height profile solving using standard linear programming tools. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 27)
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14. A computer-implemented system for designing transportation routes, said system comprising a computer coupled to a memory and a data output device,
(a) there being stored in the memory transportation route data including: -
i) linear constraints of allowable grades to be met in respect of at least one of said transportation routes, ii) route profile 3-D coordinates showing land heights at sampled points along each of said at least one transportation route prior to construction thereof, and iii) cost estimates per working unit in respect of land-cut and land-fill operations; and (b) the computer being responsive to the linear constraints, the route profile 3-D coordinates and the cost estimates per working unit for computing a height profile of said at least one transportation route which meets said design criteria and for which said land-cut and land-fill operations are adjusted to give a minimum cost by replacing all non-linear constraints by equivalent linear constraints so as to render the height profile solving using standard linear programming tools. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26)
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Specification