## 4 Conclusions  
The geotechnical maps developed in this study demonstrate various geotechnical properties in the region. They represent the spatial distribution of soil in the region as per the engineering classification of soils, AASHTO subgrade rating, and allowable bearing capacity for 1.5-, 3.0-, and 4.5-m depths.  
The developed electronic database can be extended to evaluate correlations between the geotechnical properties of soil. For example, the relationship between gradation and bearing capacity of soil, the correlation between soil types and bearing capacity, and the correlation between physical properties and engineering properties of soil can be developed. The developed database may also facilitate the training and testing of machine learning algorithms for prediction purposes. A-4 is the  
Figure 10: (**a**) Validation of AASHTO Map Using Unseen Data; (**b**) Validation of Allowable Bearing Capacity Map Using Unseen Data; (**c**) Validation of Engineering Classification of Soil Map Using Unseen Data.  
most prevalent subgrade rating at the depths of 1.5 and 3.0 m, while A-2-4 is dominating at 4.5-m depth. These maps allow identifying potential merits or demerits of a route because the patches of problematic soils (i.e., A-6 and A-7) are visible in these maps; these soils are unsuitable as supporting or construction materials, and these types of soil have to be removed from the site, owing to their swelling potential and collapsible behavior. Allowable bearing capacity in comparatively plain areas ranges from 1 to 3 tsf, while, in hilly terrain, it ranges from 3 to 9 tsf. Although kriging is now a commonly employed technique in environmental and social sciences, its suitability for geotechnical interpolations (especially for this region) was evaluated in this study. It is concluded that kriging statistical analysis is a reliable technique for the generation of geotechnical properties using available data points.  
The absence of GIS-based geotechnical mapping is a particular issue for this study site, and geotechnical data are managed primarily in printed form in this region. The developed geotechnical maps will decrease the time and cost required for the preliminary investigation of large-scale projects and serve as a ready-to-use database for low rise residential units because preliminary foundation design recommendations (e.g., type of foundation, tentative allowable bearing capacity, and probable depth of foundations) may be determined using these maps. The selection of suitable routes for highways by avoiding patches of poor subgrade ratings can also be performed. These maps can serve as a tool for the selection of suitable borrow areas (by showing excellent to good subgrade rating) for highway embankments. The outcome of this study simplifies the screening process of available sites for a particular project without requiring considerable financial implications.  
Conceptualization, M.U.A. and M.A.K.; methodology, M.U.A.; software, M.U.A.; validation, M.A.K., formal analysis, M.U.A.; investigation [PERSON] resources, M.A.K.; data curation, M.U.A.; writing--original draft preparation, M.U.A.; writing--review and editing, M.A.K.; visualization, M.U.A.; supervision, M.A.K.; project administration, M.A.K.; and funding acquisition, M.A.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by The University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.