I suggest improvements to Bentley OpenRail Designer for handling Cross over connections in the following scenarios:
Cross over Between Adjacent Tangent Tracks:
Enable a simple geometric connection between two parallel tracks without the use of Geometry Connector. The tool could prompt the user to select the desired Turnout features definitions of Leading/ Trailing Turnouts, Main Line alignment and Connecting Alignment and thus design the Cross over between the selected alignments based on the depicted track center. A facility for the use of Civil Accudraw to fix the position/orientation of the Cross overs would be an added benefit.
Cross overs between Parallel Tracks (Canted/Non-Canted, Same/Different Turnout Configurations):
Enable automatic adjustment for turnouts between parallel tracks with differing cant values or turnout types, ensuring smooth transitions.
Cross Overs between Non-Parallel Tracks (Canted/Non-Canted, Same/Different Turnout Configurations):
Improve support for designing turnouts between non-parallel tracks, considering variations in cant and turnout types, for smoother integration in complex layouts.
Benefits:
Faster Design: Automating these placements reduces manual adjustments and iterative processes.
Better Accuracy: Accounts for cant and alignment differences.
Greater Flexibility: Eases design of intricate rail networks.
| Civil Product Used | OpenRail Designer |