Route Comparison lets you evaluate two route options side-by-side across clearances, grade profiles, POI counts, and permit complexity — producing a defensible, documented basis for route selection.
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
- Ensure both routes are created and surveyed within the same project
- Open the Route Comparison View from the project toolbar
- Select Route A and Route B from the dropdown selectors
- Review the comparison panel — metrics are highlighted where routes differ significantly
- 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.