Connecticut State Department of Transportation

CTDOT CONNECT DDE GUIDE VOLUME 6 - TRAFFIC ENGINEERING BASE MODELING


Module 1 - Base Model Creation


Description

In this module you will learn how to create base models for signal features, pavement markings, and signs.

Objectives:
  • Learn how to select the proper Workspace and WorkSet.
  • Select the proper seed file to create a Base Model.
  • Align a file so it’s in the proper geospatial location.

Before attempting to open or create DGN files users should make sure the following is in place:

  • CTDOT users should have the CTDOT CONNECT DDE synced through SharePoint with the COMPASS Project Synced along with the CAD Configuration follow Module 3 - CTDOT Employee DDE Sync.
  • Consultants should have one of the following set up: 

    Module 1 - Consultant DDE Install or Module 2 - Consultant DDE Sync

  • Make note of the Coordinate System you will be working in. If you have existing survey data, you will need to find out what system is being used (NAD 83/NAVD 88 or NAD 27/NAVD 29). 

1. Log on to the CONNECTION Client. Bentley CONNECT licensing requires users to log into their Bentley account to secure a software license. CTDOT users should log in using your CTDOT email address and Bentley password. If you do not see the dialog box, select the ˄ icon on the bottom Windows Screen. Click on the Connection Client Icon and select Open.

2. Access OpenRoads through Accounting or the Customized Icon following Volume 1 - M.6.1 Accessing the Application.

3. On the OpenRoads open screen select Custom Configuration, using the small drop-down arrows select the Workspace CT_Workspace, the needed WorkSet and Role.

4. Select the New File Icon. In the New dialog box browse to the Traffic\Base_Models folder.

5. The Seed file should be set to …CT_CONNECT_DDE\CT_Configuration\Workspaces-Civil\CT Civil English WorkSpace\Standards\Seed\Seed2D - CT RoadDesign.dgn. If this is not the case, click on the Browse button to pick the seed file. To select a seed file browse to …CT_Configuration\Organization\Seed\Road and select Seed2D - CT RoadDesign.dgn

6. In the File name field enter a name for your file using the CTDOT File Naming structure.

Examples:

  • Traffic Control Signal TR_CB_1234_1234_TCS
  • Pavement Markings TR_CB_1234_1234_PVT
  • Signs TR_CB_1234_1234_SGN                

7. Select Save and the new file will open.

8. To Set up your Interface follow the steps in Volume 1 - Module 6.2 Setting up the Interface.

9. If it has been determined the provided survey is in NAD 27/NAVD 29 you will need to re-project your design file’s Geospatial Header, follow Volume 2 – Module 1 - Working with Geographic Coordinate Systems to complete this task.

10. Reference in other Design Unit’s DGN files. This could include but not limited to Highway, Structures, Existing Survey and other Traffic plans such as the Signing and Pavement Markings.

  1. Select the CTDOT workflow and click on the Attach Tab, in the References Section click on Attach Reference.
  2. Navigate to the Highways\Base_Models folder and reference the Highway Design Master Base Model file. Choose the needed Model (most likely its “Default”) and use Live Nesting at a Nesting Depth of 1. Note: Highway Design may elect to have several DGN files which could include Alignment dgns, Modeling dgns, and Drainage dgns.  Highway Design will have all these files referenced to a Master Highway dgn. When another unit wishes to reference, they can use a nested Depth of 1 to reference the Master Highway dgn. All of its first level reference files will load in, which should include the Survey dgns.

    Reference Attachment Properties

  3. Select the Home Tab, in the Primary Section select the Attach Tool drop down and choose References. This will open the References Dialog box.
  4. Review the Attachments. If the Survey file did not propagate to reference with Live nesting in the above step, you will need to reference the Survey files directly. If there are no Existing Survey users can attach Raster Images or use a Background Map, these workflows can be found in Volume 2 – Module 2 - Attaching Imagery and LiDAR Data.
  5. To reference navigate to the Active_Survey folder and reference the Survey *.dgn file. Note: Older DGN Files will need to be referenced in with certain settings to get them to line up in the correct Geospatial location.

    For older reference files turn True Scale off and set the Scale to 1:1. Note: Always do a check by clicking on the Survey’s Northing and Easting Grid Marks to compare the files read out. If they do not match you did not properly align the file Geospatially.

    Compare Northing and Easting

 

11. Select Level Display and turn off the desired levels in the reference files.

12. Select Save Settings.

Save Settings