Development of an Integrated BIM and Traffic Simulation-Based Highway Alignment Planning and Optimization Framework

Muhammad Arsalan Khan, Muhammad Umer Farooq, Malik Sarmad Riaz, Muhammad Umer Zubair (), Waqas Arshad Tanoli and Hisham Jahangir Qureshi
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Muhammad Arsalan Khan: Department of Civil Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), Topi 23640, Pakistan
Muhammad Umer Farooq: Department of Civil Engineering, International Islamic University (IIU), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Malik Sarmad Riaz: Civil Engineering Department, National University of Technology (NUTECH), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Muhammad Umer Zubair: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University (KFU), P.O. Box 380, Al-Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
Waqas Arshad Tanoli: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University (KFU), P.O. Box 380, Al-Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
Hisham Jahangir Qureshi: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University (KFU), P.O. Box 380, Al-Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: Highway alignment optimization is critical for developing sustainable and resilient transportation infrastructure. Traditional alignment selection methods frequently fail to comprehensively account for all of the diverse factors, including geometric compliance, traffic efficiency, land use factors, environmental impacts, and cost considerations, ultimately resulting in suboptimal project outcomes. To address these challenges, this study proposes a building information modeling (BIM)-based alignment optimization framework that integrates diverse datasets, sophisticated modeling techniques, and stakeholder collaboration. The proposed framework systematically enables the user to model terrain, design geometric features, simulate traffic, and conduct cost analysis and environmental impact assessments. A case study of the Dera Ghazi Khan Northern Bypass project in Pakistan, a critical infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and enhance regional connectivity, is presented to validate the proposed framework. Three alignment alternatives were analyzed, with the optimized solution (Alignment Option 2) demonstrating a 30% reduction in congestion, a 20% decrease in travel time, and a 6.48% reduction in construction costs compared to the other alignment alternatives. These outcomes highlight the transformative potential of BIM-driven optimization to significantly enhance sustainability, cost-efficiency, and operational performance. This framework offers a scalable and adaptable model to guide future infrastructure development initiatives toward more sustainable outcomes.

Keywords: InfraWorks; highway alignment; building information modeling (BIM); traffic simulation; cost optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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