Expressway Route Optimization by OCP

Abstract

The optimum curvature principle (OCP) is applied to the horizontal alignment optimization of an expressway in flat South Florida between two given points. Construction cost is the criterion optimized; any other criteria which can be quantized (e.g., environmental), can be optimized by the OCP in a similar manner. The OCP is shown to be a practical aid in the location and optimization of highways and other transportation routes by practical application. The global optimum route, not easily available by other methods, is obtained deterministically. An error analysis is used together with an intrinsic equation integration algorithm to establish error bounds when the true answer is unknown. The error bound (less than one hundredth of 1%) is much less than the 5% approximate construction cost saving over the straight line route with a length increase of about 1/2 of 1%.