This release of the criteria library incorporates several new concepts, one of which I refer to as Global and Local Features. Global features are options and corresponding defined variables that are available or affect two or more different criteria file types. Local features refer to options that are unique to one particular file type.

Some examples of local features would be:

• MDNPP: STATION RANGE COMPUTATION - The median pier protection criteria uses the defined variables for begin and end station to compute the appropriate berm height, etc for each cross section station. I.E., it behaves differently depending on the location of each station with the station range. No other criteria file type has the ability to adjust for a range of stations.
• TMPLT: GEOPAK SHAPE REFERENCE - Tmplt criteria refers to the Geopak shape mosaic and reacts accordingly. No other criteria file type relies on or references the Geopak shape.

Examples of Global features would be:

• GUARDRAIL WIDENING - Several criteria file types consider height and slope of fill to determine whether or not guardrail widening is warranted. In doing so, all of these different files refer to or use the same define variables.
• LEVELING and SYMBOLOGY - All criteria file types use the same set of defined variables to set the level, color and weight for drawing elements. A prime example of this would be the level, color, text height and width of slope labeling. The Global feature that controls all slope labeling is the defined variables "SLOPE TEXT HEIGHT" and "SLOPE TEXT WIDTH".

Most all of the different criteria file types offer their own version of some Global features as Local features. For example : The LDSS criteria uses local versions of the "SLOPE TEXT HEIGHT" and "SLOPE TEXT WIDTH" variables named "LD01 SLOPE TEXT HEIGHT" and "LD01 SLOPE TEXT WIDTH". These local variables are default defined to the same values as the global versions.

Therefore, you have the ability to specify a different slope text size for LDSS01 and still let FDSS and ADSS use the global default. This is accomplished by simply pre-defining those variables in your criteria input.

Having the knowledge of these local versions and understanding how to use them will provide you more flexibility in your use of the criteria library.

Throughout this documentation, all local versions of global variables will be listed for each criteria file type.