A mixed-integer linear programming model to optimize the vertical alignment considering blocks and side-slopes in road construction

•Vertical alignment is computed using a mixed-integer linear program.•More than 15 percent error reduction is achieved using side-slopes approximation.•Natural blocks are handled without breaking the linearity of the model. In the vertical alignment phase of road design, one minimizes the cost of mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of operational research 2015-03, Vol.241 (3), p.631-641
Main Authors: Hare, Warren, Lucet, Yves, Rahman, Faisal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aptitudes
Combinatorial optimization
Cost estimates
Earthwork optimization
Highway construction
Linear programming
Mixed integer linear program
OR in road design (natural resources)
Studies
Transportation problem (Operations research)
Vertical alignment optimization
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Summary:•Vertical alignment is computed using a mixed-integer linear program.•More than 15 percent error reduction is achieved using side-slopes approximation.•Natural blocks are handled without breaking the linearity of the model. In the vertical alignment phase of road design, one minimizes the cost of moving material between different sections of the road while maintaining safety and building code constraints. Existing vertical alignment models consider neither the side-slopes of the road nor the natural blocks like rivers, mountains, etc., in the construction area. The calculated cost without the side-slopes can have significant errors (more than 20 percent), and the earthwork schedule without considering the blocks is unrealistic. In this study, we present a novel mixed integer linear programming model for the vertical alignment problem that considers both of these issues. The numerical results show that the approximation of the side-slopes can generate solutions within an acceptable error margin specified by the user without increasing the time complexity significantly.
ISSN:0377-2217
1872-6860
DOI:10.1016/j.ejor.2014.08.035