CASE STUDIES
GUIDANCE FOR THE PROJECT ENGINEER
START DATE: Spring, 1998
START DATE: 12/1/1998
COST:
PROJECT TYPE: NCDOT sponsored research
FUNDED BY: North Carolina Department of Transportation
COLLABORATORS: University of North Carolina-HSRC and NCDOT
PROBLEM STATEMENT: Despite a marked increase in the application of visualization to transportation-related projects, there continues to be a need for basic ‘guidance’ that can used by transportation project managers on what is required in order to develop an integrated and effective application of this technology. Project managers unfamiliar with visualization need information on the range of visualization ‘products’ or applications, the conditions under which each may be effective, as well as how to understand the often complicated relationships between visualization benefits and cost. Many potential users of visualization are confused about the distinction between 2D and 3D, the role of 3D models, as well as distinctions between ‘animation’ and ‘real time.’
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE: The objectives of this effort were to communicate to practitioners and project/program managers the current state of practice in the use of visualization for transportation applications. The main sections of the document cover (1) illustrated descriptions of typical ‘products,’ (2) a getting started ‘checklist,’ (3) a section that describes ‘working on the details.’ Working on the details includes guidance on (a) who will be responsible for actually developing the visualization, (b) defining what will be needed in terms of the types of spatially-referenced data required, (c) representing topography, (d) understanding different ‘viewpoints’ (static, dynamic, walk-thrus, drive-thrus, fly-overs, etc.), (e) 2D versus 3D, (f) modeling, simulation, and the need to address ‘operations, ‘ (g) how to display visualization products, (h) considerations on time to develop, cost, and flexibility of application, and (i) a section on understanding the ‘tradeoffs’ between cost, development time, fidelity, etc.
METHODOLOGY / APPROACH: The approach was to survey the ‘industry’ so to speak in terms of identifying those state DOTs with experience in the application of visualization and the range of current applications. The approach also included drawing upon the personal experience and expertise of Dr. Ron Hughes who, in addition to having done visualization work for FHWA and the Florida and North Carolina Departments of Transportation, also possessed over 20 years of applied research experience in visual simulation and modeling work for the Department of Defense.
OUTCOME: This document provides ‘guidance’ to the practicing transportation system engineer and/or project/program manager of how to develop effective applications of visualization. It presumes the reader has little or no technical background in the development and use of visualization within the context of major transportation system projects. Information is provided on the range of visualization ‘products,’ advise on getting started and working on the details, as well as information that is helpful in understanding the major tradeoffs between cost, development time, expected benefits, and flexibility of use.
MEASURED BENEFITS: This work, along with that of others, has provided the foundation for the continuation of the TRB international symposia on visualization and for the recent creation of a TRB technical committee on visualization. The 'guidance' in this report will contribute to the TRB committee's proposed application of visualization to the Kennedy Center Access Improvement Project in Washington, DC.
FURTHER STUDY: Further study is needed that will lead to practitioner guidance on how to use visualization to better align user needs and values versus simply how a proposed facility will look and/or operate. The essence of this need is described in the 2004 TRB presentation on Future Directions in Visualization (author: R. Hughes) A preliminary version of this paper/presentation is included as one of the links below.
OTHER COMMENTS: Submitted as final report 98-9 to NC Dept of Transportation (Dec 1998)
LINKS
http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/research/human_virtual.htm
http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/pdf/hfactors/pdf/vrbike.pdf
http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/pdf/hfactors/pdf/whitepaper_rev3.pdf