Swept path analysis
Swept Path Analysis is the calculation and analysis of the movement and path of different parts of a vehicle when that vehicle is undertaking a turning manoeuvre. At a basic level this includes calculating the path taken by each wheel during the turn and also calculating the space needed by the vehicle body during the turn. Initially this form of calculation was carried out by hand, but in recent years has been computerised. Savoy Computing Services Limited claims the first program to provide this form of vehicle turn analysis was TrackTech (later Track and now AutoTrack) back in the 1970s. It was developed originally by Travers Morgan and Partners and used by the UK's Transport and Road Research Laboratory. Other Swept Path Analysis software includes AutoTURN from Transoft Solutions.
Swept path analysis has a variety of uses. For designers and developers of new vehicle types it provides a range of data AbOUT how that vehicle will perform without having to resort to building a prototype. The vehicle's intended parameters can be input into the program which will then calculate exactly how that vehicle will perform under a turn situation.
Planners, architects and engineers can also benefit from the program as it will provide them with the means to assess access possibilities at different site locations, for example whether a particular vehicle is able to safely (or actually) negotiate a specific corner or entrance where room to manoeuvre is limited.
The flexibility of the program also provides the calculation of unusual loads on wheeled transport; for example the transportation of large items (such as wind-farm turbine blades, ship's hulls, aircraft wings or other large objects).
Some also offer a comprehensive aircraft library which makes it ideal for airport design.
A swept path analysis program may also include additional features such as servicing points for aircraft, jet blast and safe working area calculation, road vehicles may show drivers eye and mirror view, as well as 3D real-time animation and the ability to create unusual vehicles from scratch.
Linked to its Swept Path Analysis the program may also include parking tools. This module may integrate seamlessly with the swept path analysis program and provide a quick, powerful and intuitive tool for Laying out car parks into which the intended vehicles' swept path can be integrated. Car parks can be laid out for domestic cars, or any vehicle. As such it can also be used to lay out the access and parking for either a major articulated lorry distribution centre, or even in the Airport Design module for aircraft parking and taxiing.
A swept path analysis program may also include a module for light rail (metro). This can be used to calculate platform clearances and passing clearances when two trains pass on a curved section of track.
Swept path analysis programs are usually adopted for use by professional corporations, and as a result they are licensed and protected programs for which a subscription or maintenance fee is payable. In general they work in Microsoft Windows, also integrating with the major CAD packages.
Other facilities include the ability to overlay a swept path drawing over an aerial photograph and the ability to model several vehicle movements concurrently.