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

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.