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Design division outlines supplemental design data, model‑centric OpenRoads workflow and file locations for contractors
Summary
Design division staff explained where contractors can find supplemental design data on the MFT site, how the OpenRoads Designer model‑centric workflow differs from older cross‑section workflows, and common limitations users should expect when importing supplemental files.
John Collado of design division explained how supplemental design data and model files are posted for contractors, described the model‑centric workflow used with OpenRoads Designer, and recommended review steps and points of contact when the model lacks detail required for a specific task.
The guidance is important because contractors and surveyors rely on supplemental design data — alignment files, surfaces, models and Excel earthwork details — to build or validate finished‑grade surfaces, compute quantities and support construction layout.
Collado said designers post supplemental design data on the MFT site under the project (PCN/job number) and provide a read‑only password for contractors. He described the expected contents of the AA ReadMe file (alignment keys, modeled limits, cross‑section set identifiers) and said modeling limitations should be documented so users know what the model covers and what it does not. "This guide is basically where to go," he said, referencing the directory on the MFT site where the files are hosted.
He emphasized that OpenRoads Designer uses a model‑centric workflow: "We do the model first and then we develop the cross sections." Corridor templates drive the modeled geometry; templates contain backbone components and end conditions, and template points (for example, prefixes such as T for top, B1 for base, DG for dirt grade) convert into break lines and labeled cross‑section points used to build surfaces. Collado said minor edits to point locations (for example, moving a point a few hundredths of a foot to resolve surface tracing) are sometimes necessary to avoid triangulation artifacts; those small edits typically do not change earthwork quantities when done carefully, but they can create unintended consequences if larger edits are made.
He recommended that contractors and district staff wanting more detail — for example, transitions, pipe backfill, ADA ramp joint locations or bridge embankment specifics — contact the designer to clarify whether the model includes those items or whether additional plan notes or a special provision are needed. He said the supplemental design data should include the detailed earthwork calculations (usually as Excel spreadsheets) if the designer relied on them during plan development.
Collado offered video guidance and a CAD standards manual reference (section 2.14) for teams that will review supplemental design data and encouraged users to ask the project designer when questions arise.
