A platform is defined as the set of vectors formed on both sides of the horizontal alignment, or from the median if there is one.

          This set of vectors also configures the subgrade or surface supporting the roadbed. In other words, it will be used to calculate the excavation surface area. The ditch and/or the slopes will be situated at the ends of the platform should there be a cutting or fill surface.

          If superelevations are considered, they will be applied to the vectors selected. For this purpose, they can be marked by double clicking on the graphic representation or changing the corresponding vertex’s properties. They are clearly differentiated in the dialog box, because the vectors that can be superelevated are displayed in red, while the rest are displayed in white.

          Additionally, defining the pivot element is essential, as it is at this vertex that grade line height will be applied and from where the superelevations are applied to both sides. The pivot vertex is represented in the image with a red arrow. For platforms with a median, two pivot points exist one for each roadway.

          The data is introduced into a series of cells with the name of the vector in the top row, having previously been defined in the template. The first column is the station up to which the corresponding platform is applied. 

          The X displacement of the vector in question can be directly introduced in the cells. To apply a displacement in Y, double clicking on the desired cell a window appears for modifying this parameter as well as other characteristics.

          If a cell is left blank, it is assumed that no vector exists for it, so that if in the previous or following definition one does exist, the vector will be automatically interpolated.

          As previously mentioned, double clicking on any data cell displays a new window where the characteristics of the selected vector can be configured in more detail.

DX: Horizontal vector displacement.

DY: Vertical vector displacement.

Cut polylines: The option to designate in top view a polyline up to which to stretch the edited vector.

Texture: Optionally set the texture associated to each of the vectors. This option is used to give a more realistic appearance to the 3D representation commands available in the Maps option. If textures are not assigned, the program will automatically assign a texture when the above-mentioned commands are executed.

Superelevate: Indicate whether the vector can be superelevated. Click on the “Condition…” button to customize the superelevation to apply.

          The superelevation will either be applied As per Superelevations Table or Conditioned by Slope. In the latter case, there are two criteria for the application of said slope: it can be either greater than or less than the limit set. There are two criteria for both alternatives:

 

Equivalent to Slope.

· A % value entered by the user (Value box).

Application conditions: A series of conditions can also be applied to the vector according to which it will or will not be defined in the template.

Apply at cut and fill: This is to indicate whether the vector is applied according to whether it is cut only or fill only. Deciding on the vector application is the point of connection for the vector in the corresponding platform.

Also, if deciding that the vector is only applied to fill, there are three options:

1.       Apply always.

2.       Apply if the height in regard to the previous vector is greater than a value introduced.

3.       Apply if the height in regard to the previous vector is lower than a value introduced.

 

Selecting any of the names of the existing vectors and clicking the right mouse button displays a submenu with the following options:

Insert Left: Insert a new vector to the left of the selection, in this case a new window will appear with the vectors available to insert in this position.

Insert Right: The same as for the previous case, only this time the right vector is selected.

Delete: Eliminates the vector selected, completely eliminating the column selected. 

Enable superelevation: Activates the superelevation in the vector selected, for all definitions at every station.

Disable superelevation: Similar to the previous only in this case it disables the superelevation in all the stations of the vector in question. 

          For definitions of templates that have a median, the same properties of the median-type vector can be assigned to it. By double-clicking on the corresponding vector, the following window is displayed for setting up the configuration.

Median depth: Average depth of the median from the pivot point to both sides of the section.

Application: Indicate here if the roadbed vectors connect at the crown or foot of the roadbed. 

 

          Additionally, there are four buttons for carrying out the following operations on the platform definition across the stations. 

  This inserts a new platform assignment in a particular station. When the button is pressed it will request the station and once it is validated a line is inserted in the position where the vectors are assigned the values of the section with which the template was initially defined.

 With one of the platforms assigned to a specific selected station, this button makes a copy of the vectors at that station.

 Deletes the assignment of a particular station.

 This button defines the platform pivot point, meaning the point from which the vertical alignment height will be applied and from which the left and right superelevations are applied. In order to do this first select the name of the vector on which to situate the pivot, then click the button.

         

The application point is shown with a red arrow in the vertex in question.

 

Platform pivot without median

Platform pivot with median

 

   With this button the program allows all the vertices of any polyline to be read, creating a new platform with its vectors.

First, the platform definition window disappears momentarily, to request the designation of a Polyline by placing the cursor on it. Then the Vertex corresponding to the Horizontal Alignment is selected. This is also done with the cursor, on the vertex we want considered as the horizontal alignment of the polygon. 

The program will calculate the increases of the vectors drawn in their values (X and Y), with (0, 0) as a horizontal alignment of reference  and restoring the dialog box for platform definition.