Abstract
For the economic growth and sustainable development of any country, the road networks play a pivotal role. Hence, the selection of best route alignment for the road networks becomes even more significant. The Geographical Information System (GIS) integration with the Least Cost Path (LCP) model is used to determine the optimum route to address sustainable road development. In this study, Dupcheswor Rural Municipality, Nuwakot, Nepal and part of Langtang National Park was taken as a study area; and engineering and environmental parameters were selected to create a cost layer. Using the Least Cost Path (LCP) model, fifteen routes were generated in the GIS. All the generated fifteen routes were compared based on cost, and the optimum route was selected based on the least cost. The optimum route in this study was derived from the hybrid theme of engineering and environmental perspectives. This study suggests further research can be done to improve preliminary to detailed road alignment planning and design coordination by considering other factors.
Highlights
Route alignment is one of the important tasks in any transport infrastructure development
Among different network analysis methods, the Least Cost Path (LCP) model is widely used as this method allows the users to identify the most economical way to link two locations within a cost surface, which can be calculated by combining multiple criteria, and by accounting for different concerns such as engineering, geological, environmental, socio-economic, political etc. (Effat and Hassan, 2013; Sunusi et al, 2015)
Map Factor n Map e) Slope aspect: The slope aspect (Fig. 6e) is of the study area was prepared from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) retrieved from the USGS
Summary
Route alignment is one of the important tasks in any transport infrastructure development. To find the optimum balance between transport infrastructural development and engineering and environmental concerns is challenging and high demanding in these days. Route alignment begins with the source to the destination plan. This method includes acquiring information from published maps, field surveys, aerial photos, and satellite imagery. Among different network analysis methods, the Least Cost Path (LCP) model is widely used as this method allows the users to identify the most economical way to link two locations within a cost surface, which can be calculated by combining multiple criteria, and by accounting for different concerns such as engineering, geological, environmental, socio-economic, political etc. Among different network analysis methods, the Least Cost Path (LCP) model is widely used as this method allows the users to identify the most economical way to link two locations within a cost surface, which can be calculated by combining multiple criteria, and by accounting for different concerns such as engineering, geological, environmental, socio-economic, political etc. (Effat and Hassan, 2013; Sunusi et al, 2015)
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