Alternative alignments development and evaluation for the US 220 project in Maryland.

PDFTech ReportMD-11-SP009B49SP009B49AlignmentHighway designOptimizationMarylandMaryland. State Highway AdministrationKang, Min-wookJha, Manoj K.Shariat, ShaghayeghSchonfeld, Paul M.Wang, ZunMorgan State UniversityUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Maryland. State Highway AdministrationNational Transportation Center (U.S.)US Transportation CollectionThis project aims to find the preferred alternative alignments for the Maryland section of existing US 220, using the highwayalignment optimization (HAO) model. The model was used to explore alternative alignments within a 4,000 foot-wide buffer ofthe US 220 from I-68 near Lavale, Maryland to the West Virginia State line near McCoole, Maryland. It analyzed variousalternative alignments within the project limit at a planning level of detail, evaluated them based on important decision criteria,and eventually found the best alternative alignments. Geographical and environmental issues as well as roadway geometricspecification are also considered in finding cost-effective alternatives of the US 220. Five major agency costs (i.e., lengthdependent,right-of-way, earthwork, bridge, and maintenance costs) are considered as the decision criterion for optimizingalignments. The project was divided into eight sections based on environmental and geographical issues. Among those eightsections, some were classified as the locations where widening of the existing US 220 was preferred (named Case 1 sections)and the others were classified as the locations where development of new bypasses was recommended (Case 2 sections)