Road Network Design: Optimal Economic Connection of Three Horizontal Control Points on Flat, Uniform Terrain

Abstract Road network design may involve selection of junction points, and a standard economic criterion can guide the initial paper location of these points. The junction point problem, in its elemental form, begins with three horizontal control points. These control points are to be linked at minimum total cost using linear road segments. Each road segment is characterized by a constant cost per unit length which may differ between segments. A mathematical optimization model has been developed for this problem. A decision algorithm for optimal network design is given and an example from the literature illustrates its application.