Generating 3D Terrain Model for Road Design Using GIS Methods

Digital terrain modeling is basically the creation of a digital representation of the terrain topography. Although maps that presented topographic information have been collected in a precise digital form to allow the creation of digital terrain topography models, such a model can be made using ArcMap software. In order to prepare the digital terrain model, there are used graphic and script data - a *.dwg file that includes the road section and geographical coordinates of the points of interest extracted from Google Earth. The geographical coordinates were converted into cartesian coordinates, this conversion being made using The World Coordinate Converter application. Based on the extracted data, a three-dimensional elevation model can be generated, and further used in varrious fields and applications. The generation of longitudinal and transversal profiles, with related details, is essential for better understanding the land configuration and a proper road design.