Route selection is a decision with consequences. Route Comparison View gives you the data to make that decision transparently and document it defensibly.
What Route Comparison Shows
Side-by-side for each route: - Total distance and estimated travel time - Number and severity of clearance constraints - Grade profile summary (max grade, sustained grade segments) - POI count by category (bridges, utilities, intersections, staging) - Permit jurisdiction count and complexity indicator - Overall constraint risk score
When to Use Route Comparison
- Two or more candidate routes have been surveyed
- Client wants to understand the tradeoff between options
- Engineering review requires documented route selection rationale
- Permit authority asks why this route was chosen over an alternative
How to Use Route Comparison
1. Ensure both routes are created and surveyed within the same project 2. Open the Route Comparison View from the project toolbar 3. Select Route A and Route B from the dropdown selectors 4. Review the comparison panel — metrics are highlighted where routes differ significantly 5. Export the comparison as a PDF to include in your report or permit application
Documenting Route Selection
Route Comparison produces a snapshot of the comparison data that can be included in permit applications and project archives. This creates a traceable, defensible record of why one route was selected over an alternative — critical for regulatory review and client accountability.
Limitations
Route Comparison works best when both routes have been fully surveyed to the same standard. Comparing a fully-surveyed route against an unsurveyed one will show gaps in constraint data that can be misleading. Ensure comparable survey coverage before using Route Comparison for formal documentation.