MedianDaylight – Version 26.0
Last updated: 2026-02-24
mdn-dalit-01.mp4 11:26
Description
This subassembly addresses various depressed median scenarios between the attachment point and a marked point or an attachment point and a point defined by width plus elevation parameters. This subassembly provides options to construct a full median or daylight the slopes independently from each median edge.
When slopes from each median edge are independent (not connected), they can be constructed a fill slope, ditch, or not construced.
In a full median or ditch scenarios, a V-ditch or flat bottom ditch can be specified. If the slopes are entered as positive, a berm can be created.
All link slopes can target a profile. The elevations from the targeted profile(s) are then interpreted as slope values, allowing for smooth slope transitions.
In situations where more than one target surface intercept is possible, the user has several controls available to choose the desired intercept.
Behavior
Independent side behavior
This subassembly is designed to accommodate ditch section or fill section configuration from each side independently.
Determining Ditch or Fill condition
By default, the subassembly will create a full median (See Full Median Behavior). The Connecting side ditch/fill switch and Attachment side ditch/fill switch can be toggled to separate the full median into independent daylight slopes on each side. An optional profile may be targeted to determine the ditch/fill condition for either side of the median. The profile elevations are interpreted as logic switches. Elevation < 1 means the subassembly should use ditch logic. An elevation = 1 means the subassembly should not construct a slope on that side. An elevation > 1 means the subassembly should use fill logic. These options allow the user to force ditch logic in a fill condition or fill logic in a cut condition.
Fill section
If a fill condition is determined, the logical steps used are as follows. The <Side> foreslope is used to construct a slope from the attachment point or connecting point side to the target surface. The slope does not connect with the opposite side median slope.
Ditch section
If a ditch condition is determined for one side of the median, the logical steps used are as follows. The <Side> foreslope is used to construct a slope from the attachment point or connecting point for a distance equal to the Ditch/berm foreslope width parameter. If a value greater than 0 is input for the Ditch bottom/berm top width parameter, a level link is contructed at the end of the foreslope link. The section is then closed to the target surface using the Ditch backslope parameter.
Full median behavior
If a ditch condition is determined for both sides of the median, a full median ditch is created.
Median layout width: This is used as the default median width for layout mode and for corridor modeling when targets and or marked points have not been assigned within the corridor.
Target type method: This defines the method to be used to create the connect point opposite of the attachment point. The two methods are Elevation & width or Marked point.
Elevation & width method requires at least a horizontal target be assigned during the corridor creation process. A vertical target may also be assigned. If a horizontal target is not set the width of the median will default to the value set in the Median layout width.
Marked point method requires that both horizontal and vertical targets be assigned during the corridor creation process. If a marked point is not found or assigned, then the width of the median defaults to the Median layout width.
Marked point name: User string input to define the name of the marked point used in the assembly.
Attachment side foreslope: This defines the foreslope on attachment point side. This parameter can be negative or positive.
Connecting side foreslope: This defines the foreslope connecting point side. This parameter can be negative or positive.
Ditch bottom/berm top width: This parameter defines whether a v-ditch or a flat bottom ditch is constructed. A value of 0 (zero) will create a v-ditch while any number greater than zero will create a flat bottom ditch. This parameter can be assigned a profile control to consume any station point value along the profile as a width. These values can be used to define the ditch width and transitions to and from a v-ditch.
Ditch/berm foreslope width: In full median mode, this value sets the ditch width of the ditch point from the side indicated by the Full median slope constraint parameter if target is not defined. This value can be used when the Full Median Slope constraint is set to Use connecting slope or Use attachment slope but will not be used if it is set to Use both slopes.
When controlling the sides independently, this value sets the ditch width of the ditch point from the side that currently is forming a ditch.
Slope constraint method
Once the connect point location is determined through selecting the Target type and the appropriate targets have been defined in the process of building the corridor, links are extended inward between the attachment point and the connect point locations at a slope determined by which Slope constraint method has been selected. There are three options that can be used to calculate the median slopes. These three options can also be control using a profile target where the profile elevations are interpreted as a switch (Elev = 1 is “Use both slopes”, Elev >1 is “Use connectiong slope”, Elev <1 is “Use attachment slope”)
Use Both slopes
This will use both slopes defined in the Attachment side foreslope and Connecting side foreslope parameters to calculate the slopes and the location of the ditch bottom, whether a V-ditch is defined or a flat bottom ditch is to be constructed. The slope values can be set equal or non-equal, and can be positive or negative. Both slope values must be positive for a berm to be constructed, otherwise only one slope value needs to be negative for the median to be constructed as a ditch.
Use attachment slope/Use connecting slope
These method uses the Attachment side foreslope or Connecting side foreslope values to constrain the median geometry. The slope is defined inward towards the ditch. The offset is defined by the Ditch/berm foreslope width parameter or the Ditch/berm width offset target parameter. The elevation of the ditch point is calculated by extending the link inward at the defined slope until it meets the offset.
Constructing a berm
A berm can be created two ways; by assigning a target profile where the elevation is greater than both the attachment point and connect point, or by setting both the Slope from right or Slope from left parameters positive. Both parameters must be positive to create a berm with the Full median slope constraint set to Use both slopes.
Attachment & layout mode operation
The attachment point is at the start of the first link on the attachment side. The subassembly is typically attached to the outside edge of the roadway, such as the subgrade shoulder point, back of sidewalk or back of curb. This component can be attached to either the left or right side.
In layout mode, this subassembly shows the median attachment side slope and connecting side slope.
Input parameters
Info: All dimensions are in feet unless otherwise noted. All slopes are in run-over-rise form (for example 4:1) unless indicated as a percent slope with a "%" sign.
| Parameter | Description | Type | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side | Specifies which side to place the subassembly. | Left/Right | Right |
| Median layout width | Defines the default median width for layout mode and if the connect point target is not assigned. | Numeric, Positive | 40 |
| Target type | Defines the method for defining the location of the connect point, by defining the target type to be used; a marked point, or elevation and/or width target. |
String Combo List of Options •Elevation & width •Marked point |
Elevation & width |
| Marked point name | Name of a previously defined marked point. Marked point must be found in the direction of the insertion side. | String | CON |
| Attachment side ditch/fill Switch | Determines when the subassembly follows fill logic only, ditch logic only, or no slope for attachment side of median |
String, Combo List of options: •No Slope •Ditch •Fill |
Ditch |
| Connecting side ditch/fill Switch | Determines when the subassembly follows fill logic only, ditch logic only, or no slope for connecting side of median |
String, Combo List of options: •No Slope •Ditch •Fill |
Ditch |
| Attachment side foreslope | Slope of the link extending inward from the attachment side insertion point or marked point. Used in full median and side-independent scenarios | Slope | 6:1 |
| Connecting side foreslope | Slope of the link extending inward from the connecting side insertion point. Used in full median and side-independent scenarios | Slope | 6:1 |
| Slope constraint | Determines whether the slope from the attachment side, slope from the connecting side, or a computation for both slopes should be used to define the slope of the two links inserted. |
String Combo List of Options: •Use Both slopes •Use connecting slope •Use attachment slope |
Use both slopes |
| Ditch/berm foreslope width | Defines the width of the ditch/berm foreslope from the insertion point on either the attachment side or connecting side. | Numeric, Positive | 8 |
| Ditch bottom/berm top width | Width of the ditch bottom berm top. | Numeric, positive | 0.0 |
| Ditch backslope | Used only in side-independent scenarios. Slope of the link extending from the ditch point to the daylight point | Slope, positive | 6:1 |
| Attachment side number of surface intercepts | The target surface intercept number counted from the attachment point that is used as the daylight slope intercept. | Numeric, positive | 1 |
| Connecting side number of surface intercepts | The target surface intercept number counted from the connecting point that is used as the daylight slope intercept. | Numeric, positive | 1 |
| Attachment side minimum width to intercept | The minimum width from the attachment point to establish the daylight slope intercept | Numeric, positive | 0 |
| Connecting side minimum width to intercept | The minimum width from the connecting point to establish the daylight slope intercept | Numeric, positive | 0 |
| Resolve slope overlap? | When the independent side overlap, this parameter can be used to resolve the overlap | Boolean | False |
| Right point suffix | List of options to use for adding a suffix to all point codes on the right side. The user defined option uses the value of the “Right user defined point suffix” parameter. |
String, Combo
List of Options: NoSuffix PointCodeNumber |
_R |
| Left point suffix | List of options to use for adding a suffix to all point codes on the left side. The user defined option uses the value of the “Left user defined point suffix” parameter. | String, Combo List of Options: UserDefined _L _NB_L _SB_L _EB_L _WB_L _NW_L _NE_L _SW_L _SE_L _MED_L NoSuffix PointCodeNumber |
_L |
| Right user defined point suffix | User defined right point code suffix | String | |
| Left user defined point suffix | User defined left point code suffix | String |
Target parameters
This section lists the parameters in this subassembly that can be mapped to a target object such as a surface, alignment, or profile object in a drawing. For more information, see Setting and Editing Targets in the AutoCAD Civil 3D User’s Guide Help.
| Parameter | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Daylight surface | Name of the Surface for Daylighting. The following object types can be used as targets for specifying this surface: surfaces | Required |
| Attachment side ditch/fill switch | Profile object used to determine subassembly behavior on the attachment side. Ditch (EL<1), no slopes (EL=1), or fill (EL>1). Profile elevations are interpreted as switches for the three options. | Optional |
| Connecting side ditch/fill switch | Profile object used to determine subassembly behavior on the connecting side. Ditch (EL<1), no slopes (EL=1), or fill (EL>1). Profile elevations are interpreted as switches for the three options. | Optional |
| Slope constraint from profile | Profile object used to determine the slope constraint. Use attachment slope (EL<1), Use both slopes (EL=1), or Use connecting slope (EL>1). Profile elevations are interpreted as switches for the three options. | Optional |
| Connect point width | Object that defines the horizontal location of the median connect point, opposite from the attachment point. It defines the median width. The following object types can be used as targets for specifying the width: alignments, polylines, feature lines, or survey figures. | Optional |
| Connect point elevation | Object that defines the elevation of the median connect point, opposite from the attachment point. The following object types can be used as targets for specifying this elevation: profiles, 3D polylines, feature lines, or survey figures. | Optional |
| Ditch/berm width |
Full median scenario: Object that defines the horizontal location of the ditch point. Width is measured from the attachement side insertion point. When a ditch width is defined, this location is at the center of the flat bottom ditch; in a V-ditch situation, this defines the location of the valley point. Side independent scenario: Object that defines the following object types can be used as targets for specifying the width: alignments, polylines, feature lines, or survey figures. |
Optional |
| Ditch/berm elevation | Elevation objects that defines the ditch or berm elevation. | Optional |
| Attachment side foreslope from profile | A profile that defines the attachment side foreslope link slope. A slope control profile that has the PVI elevations defined as the slope is required. | Optional |
| Connecting side foreslope from profile | A profile that defines the connecting side foreslope link slope. A slope control profile that has the PVI elevations defined as the slope is required. | Optional |
| Ditch backslope from profile | Used only when right and left median slopes are not connected. A profile that defines the ditch backslope link slope. A slope control profile that has the PVI elevations defined as the slope is required. | Optional |
| Ditch bottom/berm top width from profile | A profile that defines the ditch bottom/berm top width. A slope control profile that has the PVI elevations defined as a ditch width is required. | Optional |
| Attachment side intercept number from profile | Object that defines the number of daylight surface intercepts to use as the final slope intercept location on the attachment side. The elevation is interpreted as an integer defining the intercept number. The following object types can be used as targets for specifying this elevation: profiles, 3D polylines, feature lines, or survey figures. | Optional |
| Connecting side intercept number from profile | Object that defines the number of daylight surface intercepts to use as the final slope intercept location on the connecting side. The elevation is interpreted as an integer defining the intercept number. The following object types can be used as targets for specifying this elevation: profiles, 3D polylines, feature lines, or survey figures. | Optional |
| Attachment side minimum width from profile | Object that defines the minimum offset from the connecting point to establish the slope intercept. The elevation is interpreted as an offset distance from the baseline. The following object types can be used as targets for specifying this elevation: profiles, 3D polylines, feature lines, or survey figures. | Optional |
| Connecting side minimum width from profile | Object that defines the minimum offset from the attachment point to establish the slope intercept. The elevation is interpreted as an offset distance from the baseline. The following object types can be used as targets for specifying this elevation: profiles, 3D polylines, feature lines, or survey figures. | Optional |
| Attachment side minimum width | Minimum width before locating the surface daylight point on the attachment side. | Optional |
| Connecting side minimum width | Minimum width before locating the surface daylight point on the connecting side. | Optional |
Output parameters
Point, Link, and Shape codes
| Point/Link/Shape | Codes | Description |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | TopDatum_Median_Att | Attachment point |
| P2 | TopDatum_Median_Ditch | Common ditch point |
| P3 | TopDatum_Median_Con | Connecting point |
| P4 | TopDatum_Ditch_In | Ditch point on attachment side |
| P5 | TopDatum_Ditch_Out | Ditch point on connecting side |
| P6 | TopDatum_Daylight_In | Slope intercept on the attachment side |
| P7 | TopDatum_Daylight_Out | Slope intercept on the connecting side |
| L1 | LABELSLP,Top,TopDatum,FslpAS | Foreslope from the attachment point |
| L2 | LABELSLP,Top,TopDatum,FslpCS | Foreslope from the connect point |
| L3 | LABELSLP,Top,TopDatum,DtchBot,BermTop | Flat ditch bottom/berm top |
| L4 | LABELSLP,Top,TopDatum,DtchBslp | Ditch backslope |