TO MAKE THE SHAPES (SUPERS) ---AUTOMATIC MODE---

Create a new 2D DGN file from one of the seed files listed below, (name it whatever you want) and open the file:

.X21 Generation of Criteria files/Level Libraries:
(all seed files reside within the same folder)

F:\V8_Resource\X_21\Standards\seed\

Metric_2D.dgn (all Metric projects)

US_Sur2D.dgn (AK, WA, ID, WY) ... use "Survey Foot".

US_Int2D.dgn (MT, OR) ... use "International Foot".

.X30 Generation of Criteria files/Level Libraries:
(seed files reside within separate subfolders)

F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\seed\Metric\

Metric_2D.dgn (all Metric projects)

F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\seed\English\

Sur_ft2D.dgn (AK, WA, ID, WY) ... use "Survey Foot".

Int_ft2D.dgn (MT, OR) ... use "International Foot".

Geopak represents the superelevation for a roadway design by using a completely unique method. The user fills out several dialog boxes in order to create an ASCII input file. When this input file is executed, the results are graphical elements representing the lane widths and superelevation cross slopes. I would describe these graphical elements as intelligent 2D elements.

Invoke the Shape Manager dialog using the MicroStation pulldowns or the icon, each shown below:

Using the pulldowns:

APPLICATIONS > GEOPAK ROAD > CROSS SECTIONS > SHAPE MANAGER

...Or use the "Tools" icon (shown below)

The Superelevation Shape Manager Tools appear as shown below:

Click on Automated Superelevation icon (shown above) and the Automated Superelevation dialog appears (shown below):

Set the directory for Superelevation Preferences by using the pulldowns File > Directories as as shown below:

Click on Default All (as shown below) and all directories will be set as shown below . The example below illustrates the Metric directory paths. For English the path is F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\Bin\English.

NOTE: For older designs that are using the .X21 criteria the paths would be similar except "X_30" would be replaced with "X_21".

The Superelevation Preferences (file) can be selected 2 different ways:

By using the pulldowns File > Preferences as shown below:

Next select File > Open from the Superelevation Preferences dialog:

By selecting it from the Automated Superelevation dialog as shown below:

NOTE:

AASHTO 2001 recommended a different split for superelevation runoff other than the traditional WFL standard of 1/3 - 2/3. Explanations of this can be found on page 175 in AASHTO 2001 and on page 182 in AASHTO 2004.

As a result, I've added several new superelevation preference files on the server:

The .X21 files comply with AASHTO 2001

The .X30 files comply with AASHTO 2004

.X21 Generation of Criteria files/Level Libraries (AASHTO 2001):

F:\V8_Resource\X_21\Standards\Bin\Metric

fhwa_metric_super_80_20.sep (use w/ design speeds between 20-70 km/h)

fhwa_metric_super_70_30.sep (use w/ design speeds between 80-130 km/h)

fhwa_metric_super_67_33.sep (provides the traditional 1/3-2/3 split)

F:\V8_Resource\X_21\Standards\Bin\English

fhwa_english_super_80_20.sep (for use w/ design speeds between 15-45 mph)

fhwa_english_super_70_30.sep (for use w/ design speeds between 50-80 mph)

fhwa_english_super_67_33.sep (provides the traditional 1/3 - 2/3 split)

.X30 Generation of Criteria files/Level Libraries (AASHTO 2004):

F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\Bin\Metric

FHWA_METRIC_2004_80_20.sep (use w/ design speeds between 20-70 km/h)

FHWA_METRIC_2004_70_30.sep (use w/ design speeds between 80-130 km/h)

F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\Bin\English

FHWA_US_2004_80_20.sep (use w/ design speeds between 15-45 mph)

FHWA_US_2004_70_30.sep (use w/ design speeds between 50-80 mph)

We'll get back to creating the superelevation shapes after first reviewing all the TABS on this dialog.

The following screen captures illustrate the settings for the AASHTO 2004 superelevation preferences, specifically FHWA_METRIC_2004_80_20.sep. The only difference between FHWA_METRIC_2004_80_20.sep and FHWA_METRIC_2004_70_30.sep is the Distribution tab where one is set to 80 and the other is set to 70.

NOTE: For screen captures illustrating the AASHTO 2001 settings please click here.

The following dialog illustrations are for information only. DO NOT ADJUST ANY OF THESE SETTINGS.

Some people refer to the Superelevation Preferences dialog as "The Monster". It really is a little intimidating, but Geopak helped us set this up and you really shouldn't have to change anything.

The dialog basically consists of 9 Tabs.

e
Runoff Length
Tangent Runout
Adjust Factors
Distribution
Rotation
Reverse Curves
Compound Curves
Short Curves

As mentioned earlier... these settings have been completed for you, and the following dialogs illustrate their correct settings. The help files included with your Geopak Software have very good explanations of all these Tabs and their variables. I don't intend to repeat what has already been explained there. Instead, I've simply shown the settings for use in WFLHD.

The "e" Tab

Also on this Tab is a data field where the software looks to find the "e" radius table. Use the Files button and select the file, (english_2004_radiusTable_e.csv or metric_2004_radiusTable_e.csv). Both are currently located under F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\Bin\English. or F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\Bin\Metric.

The Runoff Length Tab:

Also on this Tab is a data field where the software looks to find the "length" table. Use the Files button and select the file, (fhwa_uscust_length.csv or fhwa_metric_length.csv). Both are currently located under F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\Bin\English. or F:\V8_Resource\X_30\Standards\Bin\Metric.

The Tangent Runout Tab:

The Adjust Factors Tab:

The Distribution Tab:

The Rotation Tab:

The Reverse Curves Tab:

The Compound Curves Tab:

The Short Curves Tab:

After verifying that each of the Tab settings on your workstation are set as shown, click on the X in the upper right corner of the dialog to close it and click on OK back on the Geopak User Preferences dialog.

Once again, to Create the Auto Shapes ASCII input file, invoke the Shape Manager tool box:

APPLICATIONS > GEOPAK ROAD > Cross Sections > Superelevation Shape Manager Tools ... or click on the icon as shown:

This brings up the Superelevation Shape Manager Tools tool box. Click on the first icon, Automated Superelevation.

This brings up the Geopak Automated Superelevation dialog.

The upper left corner of the dialog has a User pull down. Click on this and select Directories.

This brings up the dialog where the user may browse to the directories where the .sep and .csv files are located, (as shown below). I've set up a Geopak configuration file that should be on your workstation that has these paths as the "defaults". To fill these paths in easily, simply click on Clear All and Default All. If the configuration file is on your workstation, these paths will be populated magically. If for whatever reason, the configuration file has been deleted, use the Select buttons and browse to the paths shown. When finished, click on OK.

Back at the User pull down... if you click on Preferences, it will take you to the Superelevation Preferences dialog, mentioned and illustrated earlier:

Click on Symbologies to set the element symbology for the Auto Shapes. It is recommended that you use level P_RDW_Super_Shapes for the shapes.

The next step is to simply tell Geopak a little more about your design. Complete the top portion of the Automated Superelevation dialog:

Select the GPK file

Identify the Chain

Key-in the Design Speed

Select the Superelevation Preference file (English or Metric)

Select the maximum "e" value and design speed, (ie., 6% -40km/h)

Select from the toggle Divided or Undivided. We typically design 2 lane roads, so select Undivided.

The L Selection is made for you. It's tied to the Superelevation Preference file selection.

Select the Profile. Click on both the Left and Right Tabs to make sure that the Profile has been selected for both.

For most cases, set the Tie option to Offset and the Offset data field to 0.00.

The lower right portion of the dialog has 4 tools for completing the information for your shapes:

New Lane

Delete Lane

Quick Entry

Rectify Lanes (Only used with multiple lanes on the same side of centerline. This tool removes accidental gaps between adjacent lanes).

A nice improvement has been made for completing the remainder of the dialog with the addition of the Quick Entry tool.

The Quick Entry tool allows the user to enter the data for both the left and right shapes simultaneously... however the Dependency must be changed manually if one is desired to be Independent.

Invoke the Quick Entry tool by clicking on it as shown above. Enter the values in the data fields and press OK.

The result is shown below:

As mentioned earlier... as a result of using the Quick Entry tool, the Right shape will also be set to Dependent. To change the right shape to be Independent, simply click on the Right tab and uncheck the Dependent box (as shown below). I normally create one side Dependent and the other Independent simply so that they are automatically drawn in different colors, (see Symbology pull down explained previously). Both sides can actually be Dependent, but they both cannot be Independent.

Remember, all of this is done to simply create an ASCII input file, (that can be edited). All that remains now, is to tell the software what you want the name of this text file to be, (example shown below as "autoshapes.inp") and click on Generate Superelevation Transitions. This file will be created and placed in your working directory.

NOTE: Open the MicroStation design file that you intend to draw the superelevation shapes into before creating this input file. The last line in the autoshape input file specifies the directory path and name of the MicroStation design file to have the shapes drawn. The MicroStation design file name is determined by the current opened MicroStation design file that you create the autoshape input file from.

At the top of the ASCII input file, you will find that the software conveniently records information that you gave it to create the shapes. One important line of information is the log file that also gets created. This is very important as this is the file that records any and all transition conflicts. The top portion of the input file is shown below:

Now that the ASCII input file has been created... all that remains is to execute the file to create the graphical shapes.

The input file can be processed one of 2 ways, using the Autoshape Builder tool , or Create Superelevation Shapes tool. Each are explained below:

Method #1 (Create Superelevation Shapes)

When the input file is created the Geopak Text Editor will automatically pop up. Click on the icon at the far right (Create Superelevation Shapes) to process the file. Display Only is NOT an option with this method.

Once pressed, the superelevation shapes will be drawn into the MicroStation design file.

Method #2 (Autoshape Builder)

For subsequent processing, select the Autoshape Builder, located on the Superelevation Shape Manager Tools tool box. Browse to the location of the input file, and select it. Click on Draw Superelevation Shapes. This method gives the user the option of Display Only.

The graphical shapes will now be drawn into the design file for your review.

IMPORTANT: You should always review how the shapes have been calculated and drawn, before proceeding any farther with your design.

TO MAKE THE SHAPES (SUPERS) ---MANUAL MODE---

For shaping approach roads and parking lots, use the manual method of shaping:

APPLICATIONS > GEOPAK ROAD > CROSS SECTIONS > SUPERELEVATION SHAPE MANAGER TOOLS

...and select SHAPE MAKER from the Superelevation Shape Manager Tools tool box.

This is relatively easy, and actually does many other things.

The recommended method for using this tool is "Automatic".

Back to The Complete Knuckleheads Guide