Managing linear projects at scale: Introducing Alignments

By Propeller Aero -

Alignments are used in #construction to define the path of linear features like #pipelines and roads within a project. When used with their respective stations (sometimes called chainages) and offsets, locations can be more simply referenced, facilitating communication and collaboration through every aspect of a project.?

Propeller’s progress tracking toolbox is a powerful tool for managing construction projects. Now, with the addition of alignments, project teams have an even more comprehensive solution at their fingertips to help manage the construction of linear features within those projects.

Introducing Alignments and Stationing for your construction projects.

#Propeller brings alignments to desktop and mobile devices by:

• Letting you upload XML files and toggle multiple alignments on or off across desktop and mobile devices.
• Integrating station and offset reference functionality to locate positions
• Showing alignments on mobile devices so in-field users have station and offset reference functionality to locate positions and communicate while on-site.?

[Alignments] will be a powerful tool for our Propeller Mobile users who are in the field and need real-time location information.

Measuring and managing linear projects from one map just got easier.

In this post, we’ll recap some alignment file basics and explain why they’re such an integral part of linear project work for departments of transportation and #civilcontractors.?

We’ll also show you how alignments work in Propeller, whether you’re in the office or the field.

What are alignments?

In #civilconstruction, alignments are the digital blueprint that lays out the location of a linear project. Think roads, railways, pipelines, canals, and other linear infrastructure.

For example, in a road, the horizontal alignment forms the centre line of a road, which curves left and right as it winds along the earth’s surface, while vertical alignments show how a road moves up and down as it changes elevation.

To build a road or any other linear project, we need to accurately locate the points of the center line, both in design files and on the ground. That’s where alignments come in.

Alignments are critical to large linear projects for several reasons

• Planning and design: Alignments visually represent the project’s layout, enabling engineers to plan #drainage, #grading, #intersections, and other project elements.
• Construction guidance: Alignments also guide construction equipment during #excavation, #embankment building, and pipe laying.
• Quantity calculations: When the alignment is clear, engineers can calculate the volume of materials needed for construction, including earthwork volumes and paving materials.

Stations, offsets, and how alignments are used

Historically, LandXML workflows have faced limitations in 3D #dronemapping applications. Without alignments, a tool cannot speak the fundamental “location” language on linear projects.?

While alignments show the centerline of a road, stations, and offsets function as a type of location reference system, helping to pinpoint the precise location of any feature relative to that center line.

• Stations: Stations (or chainages) are like mile markers along a road. Typically measured in meters, feet, or yards, stations start from a defined reference point (usually the beginning of the alignment) and increase sequentially along its path.
• Offsets: Offsets represent the perpendicular distance from a specific station on the alignment to another point of interest, such as a stockpile.

Stations and offsets will help pinpoint any desired location relative to the alignment when used together.?

For example, #civilengineers use stations and offsets to define the location of design elements like sidewalks or drainage pipes along a road’s center line. During construction, #surveyors use them to mark locations for various features, and engineers use them to calculate material volumes.?

Without alignments, it’s hard to know where design features should be built and how much material is needed to build them.?

Things get especially tricky when alignments aren’t available on-site, where they’re essential for checking measurements and verifying that as-builts match designs.

TL;DR: Alignments, stations, and offsets are the language of locations for managing linear projects, so they’re a must-have on a 3D map everyone can use, wherever they are.

How Propeller supports alignments in the office and the field

With Propeller, you can reference alignments and stations from one central map, whether in the office or on-site.?

View multiple alignments and collect positional data with the same point-and-click ease you use to make measurements. Better still, you can do it all on the same map you use for volume calculations, quick site checks, and progress reporting.

Here’s how it works:

• Upload LandXML files to view alignments on your survey map in rich detail.
• Toggle alignments on or off to view stations and the center line on your 3D map.
• Get positional referencing data: As you pan around the map with your cursor, you’ll see the specific station and offset of the cursor, relative to the alignment. Helping you to reference the exact location of a stockpile, or other points of interest on your map.
• View multiple alignments on one map. Simply click an alignment to activate for positional referencing.
• Use alignments on-site with Propeller’s mobile app. With a shared source of truth in the palm of your hand, you’ll get the same accurate positional data whether you’re on-site or at your desk.

I did a drone demo last week and showed [alignments] to a bunch of colleagues. Stations and offsets were like a mic drop. This is one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time.

Don’t get your lines crossed

We know how much project teams rely on clear, centralized communication to build the pathways that connect our world. Our in-app alignment support is one more tool to help simplify communication and collaboration at scale across your sites.?

Whether you can count your team on one hand or need a small stadium to get your crew together, Propeller has you covered.

Want to know how Propeller can help you? Request a demo today.