Swept Path Analysis for Constrained Residential Access – Richmond upon Thames
Swept path analysis was undertaken for a residential project in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to demonstrate that the proposed construction vehicles could access and leave the site while accounting for the existing on-street parking conditions.
The assessment required the proposed vehicle movements to be tested against the actual constraints of the residential street rather than assuming that parking spaces would be suspended during construction.
Project Requirement
The project team required swept path analysis to demonstrate whether the proposed construction vehicles could safely and practically manoeuvre to and from the site.
A key requirement was that the analysis reflected the normal highway arrangement, with vehicles parked along both sides of the street.
The proposed construction vehicles assessed were:
Peugeot Boxer L3
LDV V80 tipper
Four vehicle tracking drawings were prepared to demonstrate the required access and egress movements.
Site Constraints
The site was located on an established residential street where available manoeuvring space was restricted by the existing highway geometry and on-street parking.
The assessment therefore needed to consider:
Vehicles parked on both sides of the road
Restricted carriageway width
Available turning space
Vehicle body swing
Wheel tracking and overrun
Relationship with kerbs and the site access
Entry and exit manoeuvres
Practical positioning of the construction vehicles
No parking suspensions were assumed as part of the assessment.
This was important because testing the vehicles against an artificially clear road would not have represented the conditions expected during construction.
Our Approach
Construct Logistics Consultancy used Autodesk Vehicle Tracking to model the proposed construction vehicle movements against the available site and highway layout.
Each manoeuvre was reviewed to assess the relationship between the vehicle wheel paths, vehicle body envelope, parked vehicles, kerb lines and the proposed access.
The analysis considered both entry and exit movements so that the complete vehicle movement could be understood rather than assessing only a single turning manoeuvre.
Particular attention was given to vehicle body swing because a vehicle's wheels may remain within the available carriageway while other parts of the body extend beyond the wheel path during a turn.
The proposed vehicle types were assessed individually because differences in overall length, wheelbase and steering characteristics can materially affect the space required for a manoeuvre.
Vehicle Tracking Assessment
The swept path drawings demonstrated the proposed movements of the Peugeot Boxer L3 and LDV V80 tipper.
The assessment reviewed:
Approach to the site
Entry manoeuvre
Vehicle positioning at the access
Exit manoeuvre
Clearance from parked vehicles
Clearance from kerb lines
Vehicle body swing
Overall manoeuvrability within the available highway space
The vehicle tracking was presented on clear annotated drawings so that the proposed movements and relevant constraints could be reviewed by the project team and planning authority.
Deliverables
The commission included four swept path analysis drawings showing the proposed vehicle movements.
The drawings provided:
Vehicle tracking envelopes
Wheel paths
Vehicle body movement
Entry and exit manoeuvres
Existing highway constraints
Parked vehicle positions
Site access relationship
Clear drawing notes and relevant assumptions
The completed drawings were issued in PDF format for use within the project's planning and access information.
Outcome
The swept path information formed part of the project information reviewed through the planning process.
The relevant planning application subsequently received approval.
The assessment demonstrated how relatively small construction vehicles could be tested against the actual constraints of a residential street without relying on parking suspensions to create additional manoeuvring space.
Why the Assessment Was Important
This project demonstrates why swept path analysis should reflect the conditions that are genuinely expected to exist during construction.
Removing parked vehicles from an assessment may make a manoeuvre appear achievable, but if those parking spaces will remain available to residents during the works, the analysis may not represent the real operational constraint.
By modelling the proposed construction vehicles with the existing parking conditions retained, the project team was able to assess vehicle access against a more realistic scenario.
This can help:
Identify access constraints before construction
Confirm whether proposed vehicles are appropriate for the site
Avoid relying on unnecessary parking suspensions
Support planning and stakeholder review
Identify potential vehicle body swing conflicts
Inform the wider construction logistics strategy
Technical Considerations
Swept path analysis is not simply a check of whether a vehicle's wheels can complete a turn.
A proper assessment should consider the complete vehicle envelope and the physical constraints surrounding the manoeuvre.
Depending on the site, this can include:
Vehicle length and wheelbase
Steering characteristics
Front and rear body swing
Kerbs
Parked vehicles
Bollards and street furniture
Gate widths
Loading areas
Pedestrian routes
Adjacent traffic movements
Available reversing and turning space
For constrained London sites, relatively small differences in vehicle dimensions can determine whether an access strategy is practical.
Services Provided
Swept Path Analysis
Autodesk Vehicle Tracking
Construction Vehicle Access Review
Entry and Egress Assessment
Construction Logistics Technical Support
Need a Swept Path Analysis?
If you need to demonstrate whether a construction, delivery or servicing vehicle can access a constrained site, send us the site drawing and proposed vehicle information.
Construct Logistics Consultancy can review the access arrangement, advise on the appropriate vehicle assessment and provide a fixed fee for the required swept path drawings.