If you are developing a site that generates any number of vehicle movements, one question is key: can vehicles move through your site easily and safely? It’s not just about ticking boxes for planning approval, it’s also about making sure your design works in real life conditions.

That’s where swept path analysis comes in. Swept path analysis is an essential tool that ensures your site layout design can handle the vehicles it’s designed for, helping you spot potential problems early and avoid expensive fixes or redesigns.

WHAT IS SWEPT PATH ANALYSIS?

Swept path analysis evaluates how vehicles navigate through a site, ensuring the layout accommodates specific vehicle types. A good comparison is running toy cars along a playmat; except in this case, the playmat is your development layout, and the cars represent real vehicles like cars, refuse vehicles, and emergency vehicles. The point is to make sure the layout of your site actually works, allowing vehicles to move around safely and making sure that your road layout can handle the required traffic.

By using vehicle swept path software, designers can simulate these movements to identify and address potential issues early in the design process.

It’s an essential step to avoid unexpected issues, like a refuse vehicle struggling to access the site because of too tight a corner. This is often needed to show highways officers at your local planning authority that your design is ready for approval. Key benefits of swept path analysis include:

• Reducing Risk: Minimises the chance of costly adjustments during the planning process.
• Optimising Parking Design: Ensures efficient manoeuvres and proper spacing of parking bays in car parks.
• Conducting Swept Path Assessments: Identifies potential problem areas.
• Demonstrating Compliance: Provides clear evidence to planning authorities that your design meets safety standards.

How Are Swept Paths Created?

The analysis is done using specialist swept path analysis software like AutoCAD with vehicle tracking plugins. This allows us to simulate how different vehicles move through the site, including turns, reversing and parking manoeuvres. Here is the proccess:

• Base Mapping: The first step is using high-quality base mapping, such as OS MasterMap, to provide an accurate representation of your site.
  Swept Path Analysis Vehicle Profiles: Next, we model specific vehicles, such as refuse vehicles, HGVs, or fire engines, within the AutoCAD environment. These vehicle profiles are based on real-world dimensions, and scaled to fit accurately with the rest of your mapping.
  Simulation: Using swept path software, vehicle movements are simulated to assess turning radii, clearances, and reversing manoeuvres.
• Reporting: Results are presented in a final drawing, showcasing the swept path assessment findings.

Why Choose My Swept Path Analysis Services?

• Expertise and Experience: With extensive experience in transport planning, swept path analysis and site layout design, I bring a deep understanding of the complexities involved in vehicle tracking.
• Precision and Detail: This deep understanding of swept path analysis software and my commitment to accuracy ensures that every analysis is detailed and reliable, providing you with the information needed to make informed design decisions.
• Client-Focused Approach: From complex junction layouts to parking design, I work closely with you to understand your specific swept path analysis needs and objectives, delivering tailored solutions that enhance the functionality and safety of your site.
• Innovative Techniques: By utilising the latest tools and an in-depth understanding of design standards, I offer cutting-edge solutions.
• Swept Path Assessments for Planning Approval: My swept path analysis service provides clear evidence for planning submissions, demonstrating that your layout is safe, functional, and compliant

Enhancing Your Development Projects

Swept path analysis doesn’t have to be complicated. With my help, you’ll get clear insights, practical solutions, and a design that works. Reach out today at jamie@geospatialdesign.co.uk to see how my swept path analysis service can support your project!