Computer-implemented land planning system and method designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem

Abstract

A computer-implemented land planning system is designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem. The system electronically creates at least one candidate solution to the land development problem. The candidate solution incorporates a number of engineering measurements applicable in development of an undeveloped land site. A fitness function quantitatively evaluates the candidate solution based on its fitness. A heuristic problem-solving strategy manipulates the engineering measurements of the candidate solution to achieve a more quantitatively fit solution to the land development problem. A computer output device outputs to a user documentation illustrating the fit solution to the land development problem.

1 . A computer-implemented land planning system designed to generate at least one conceptual fit and cost-optimized solution to a user-defined land development problem, said system comprising:
 means for electronically creating at least one candidate solution to the land development problem, said candidate solution comprising a plurality of interrelated engineering measurements applicable in development of an undeveloped land site, and said plurality of engineering measurements being selected from a, group consisting of grading, building pad layout, and utilities;   means for accessing cost data for said plurality of engineering measurements;   means for employing an iterative, heuristic problem-solving strategy to manipulate the engineering measurements of said candidate solution until at least one cost-optimized fit solution to the land development problem is achieved, whereby a change relative to one of said plurality of engineering measurements for said candidate solution effects a change relative to another of said plurality of engineering measurements for that candidate solution; and   means for outputting to a user documentation illustrating said cost-optimized fit solution to the land development problem.   
     
     
         2 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 1 , and comprising means for digitally representing the undeveloped land site in three-dimensional space. 
     
     
         3 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 2 , and comprising means for conceptually locating said engineering measurements within said three-dimensional space. 
     
     
         4 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 1 , wherein said engineering measurements are selected from a further group consisting of storm water system, sanitary sewer collection system, and potable water system. 
     
     
         5 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 1 , wherein said documentation comprises a least one computer-generated drawing. 
     
     
         6 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 5 , wherein said documentation further comprises an itemized cost listing of said engineering measurements. 
     
     
         7 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 1 , wherein said documentation is delivered to the user via a global communications network. 
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented land planning system designed to generate at least one conceptual fit and cost optimized solution to a user-defined land development problem, said system comprising:
 means for accessing land development constraints for an undeveloped land site;   means for electronically creating at least one candidate solution which meets the land development constraints of the undeveloped land site, said candidate solution comprising a plurality of interrelated engineering measurements, and said plurality of engineering measurements being selected from a group consisting of grading, building pad, parking lot and access roads, storm water collection system, sanitary sewer collection system, and potable water system;   means for accessing cost data for said plurality of engineering measurements;   means for calculating a fitness score for said candidate solution based on said cost data for said engineering measurements;   means for employing an iterative, heuristic problem-solving strategy for manipulating said engineering measurements of said candidate solution to achieve an increased fitness score until at least one cost-optimized fit solution is achieved, whereby a change relative to one of said plurality of engineering measurements for said candidate solution effects a change relative to another of said plurality of engineering measurements for that candidate solution; and   means for outputting to a user documentation illustrating said cost-optimized fit solution to the land development problem.   
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 8 , and comprising means for accessing user preferences for the undeveloped land site. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 9 , and comprising means for penalizing the fitness score of a candidate solution based on violation of a user preference. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 8 , and comprising means for digitally representing the undeveloped land site in three-dimensional space. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 11 , and comprising means for conceptually locating said engineering measurements within said three-dimensional space. 
     
     
         13 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 8 , wherein said documentation comprises at least one computer-generated drawing. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 13 , wherein said documentation further comprises an itemized cost listing of said engineering measurements. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 8 , wherein said documentation is delivered to the user via a global communications network. 
     
     
         16 . A computer-implemented land planning system according to  claim 8 , and comprising an electronic database containing land development constraints for the undeveloped land site. 
     
     
         17 . A computer-implemented land planning method designed to generate at least one conceptual fit and cost-optimized solution to a user-defined land development problem, said method comprising:
 electronically creating at least one candidate solution to the land development problem, the candidate solution comprising a plurality of interrelated engineering measurements applicable in development of an undeveloped land site, and the plurality of engineering measurements being selected from a group consisting of grading, building pad layout, and utilities;   employing an iterative heuristic problem-solving strategy for manipulating the engineering measurements of the candidate solution until at least one cost-optimized fit solution to the land development problem is achieved, whereby a change relative to one of the plurality of engineering measurements for the candidate solution effects a change relative to another of the plurality of engineering measurements for that candidate solution; and   outputting to a user documentation illustrating the cost-optimized fit solution to the land development problem.   
     
     
         18 . A computer-implemented land planning method according to  claim 17 , and comprising digitally representing the undeveloped land site in three-dimensional space. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-implemented land planning method according to  claim 18 , and comprising conceptually locating the engineering measurements within the three-dimensional space. 
     
     
         20 . A computer-implemented land planning method according to  claim 17 , and comprising delivering the documentation to the user via a global communications network.