Comparison between the accuracy of RoadEng and Arcinfo softwares in designing forest roads

Abstract

This research looked at the differences in forest road planning techniques and the existing software products (RoadEng and Arcinfo softwares) that have been developed to assist in forest road location. Forest road designing is conducted based on route survey using NIVO CTM mapping camera (for RoadEng software) and Garmin tools (for Arcinfo software) in Birenjestanak forest of Iran. In order to evaluate the accuracy, the outputs of RoadEng were compared to outputs of Arcinfo software. Results showed that the designed road in RoadEng software was geometrically more accurate than that of digital elevation models (DEM) 20 and 50 m intervals. The difference between real length of road and designed routes on DEM 20 and 50 m was 260 and 360 m, respectively. Also, the slope map achieved from DEM 50 m is not a good indicator for slope status in research area. The total earth working volume computed by Arcinfo software was more than that of RoadEng software. These differences for computed volume of cutting and filling were 1653 and 638 m3, respectively. The results showed DEM 50 m and DEM 20 m is not a good indicator for designing road. We can solve this problem by using the RoadEng software. With use of survey data (using mapping camera) we can transfer (Survey_Map) the route of a forest road into the plan, longitudinal, horizontal and vertical profiles, and economic calculations. Key words: RoadEng, Arcinfo, Garmin tools, digital elevation models (DEM), forest road, accuracy.