Intersection Modeling for Highway Alignment Optimization

Eungcheol Kim, Manoj K. Jha, David J. Lovell, and Paul Schonfeld

Journal of Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, Vol. 19, pp. 119-129.

ABSTRACT

When optimizing a highway alignment, it is desirable to consider new and modified intersections along it. This article develops methods for locally optimizing intersections within highway alignment optimization processes. Design and operational characteristics for intersections are reviewed from the literature. The formulation considers the major costs that are sensitive to intersection characteristics. Genetic algorithms are used for optimal search. The proposed methods are implemented on an artificial study area and on a real one through the use of geographic information systems. The results show how the methods work for local optimization of intersections as well as for optimizing entire alignments. These methods can be used for improving search flexibility, thus allowing more effective intersections. They also provide a basis for extending the alignment optimization from single highways to networks.