Digital HighwaysWhat are they? Why do we need them?How do we get there?

Ron Singh, PLSChief of Surveys/Geometronics ManagerOregon Department of Transportation

ODOT Surveyors ConferenceSalem, Oregon

1 April, 2014

Maps

Purpose - Visualize a representation of a (physical) real world area

Evolution◦Crude sketches (2D)◦1:x Scale drawings (2D)◦1:1 Scale drawings (2D and 2 ½D)◦True 3D (varying levels)

Virtual world

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Design Workflow - PAST

Referenced to alignment (“P” line, etc.)Site represented by 2D Base MapTerrain represented by Cross SectionsGrade represented by ProfilesBlind between data points2D designPaper plans and specificationsWet signatures

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Design Workflow - TODAY

Geospatially referencedCoordinates projected to planeSite represented by 2 ½ D Base MapTerrain represented by Digital Terrain

Model (DTM)Blind between data points – albeit closer3D roadway prism design flattened to 2DPaper plans and specificationsWet or Digital signatures

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Design Workflow - FUTURE

Truly Geospatially referenced3D coordinate system – No projectionsSite/Terrain represented by virtual worldFull 3D designDigital signatures3D data utilized

for constructionHierarchy – Data primary, plans secondary

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Traditional As-built Plans

Documents changes to plansRed lines on hardcopy plansNow on CAD drawingsLow priority compared to constructionVery dependent on inspectorMade from rough measurementsNot sealed by engineer or surveyor

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Traditional As-built Plans

2DUnreliableNot useful for subsequent engineering

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Future

Engineering data life cycleAs-built 3D model Utilize for maintenance, operation, asset

management and future engineeringEngineering accuracyLow distortion coordinatesPost Construction SurveySealed by licensed surveyor

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Post Construction Survey

Performed during and post constructionFinal Horizontal and Vertical ControlRight-of-Way boundaryRoadway prism information and DTMUnderground utilities and featuresOn-ground featuresAbove ground features

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For Intelligent Decisions…

We need knowledgeKnowledge:

Acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study, investigation or information.

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Knowledge of…

Our transportation system -- what we have

It’s conditionThe load on itAreas of concernPublic’s needGapsPrioritiesResourcesFunding

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VISION for the future

PLAN for the future!

Safer, smarter, less disruptive surveying3D Design – advanced visualization, clash

and problem detectionAutomated machine guidance and

intelligent construction systemsSophisticated asset management for

informed decisionsEfficient operation of our highway system

Digital Highways

Future backbone of highway information system enabling:

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… and the inevitable transition to partial and fully autonomous vehicles.

Highway Lifecycle Data

Digital Highways – entire state systemVisual – image based, solid modelsCreated by existing feature data captureInterspersed by 3D Engineered Models

◦Engineering centerline alignment◦Right-of-way boundary◦Design/As-built◦Asset inventory w/attributes◦Performance data

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Operational Needs

See◦Above, on and below the surface

Measure◦Location (geospatial), distance, area, volume

Evaluate◦Age, condition, performance

Find/Query◦Locate, tally, report

Relate◦ Planer, Linear Referencing, adjoiners

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Operational Needs

Manage Performance◦Safety, traffic volume, weather impacts,

Track History◦Design, construction, documents

Understand Geometry◦Design, as-built, survey, professionals of record

Retrieve Documents◦Contracts, inter-governmental agreements,

plan sets, technical reports

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Operational Needs

Monitor◦Movement, deformation, degradation

Simulate◦Traffic, oversize routing

Overlay◦Live traffic, micro weather

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Today

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Operational Need Field Office

See X

Measure X

Evaluate X

Find/Query X

Relate X

Performance X

History X

Geometry X

Documents X

Monitor X

Simulate n/a n/a

Point Clouds

Enables the development of Digital Highways

A means to an endCreated, certified, and managed by expert

qualified personnelBlack Box Simplified for end user

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Point Clouds (for projects)

Full Utilization of Information Rich Point Clouds

From “2½D BaseMap” to “Virtual World”No Traditional (Triangulated) DTMCritical 3D Objects:

◦Mathematically Modeled (geometric solid object)◦Mesh Modeled (reality, imperfect, discreet objects)

3D Feature Extraction ONLY Where Necessary for Design

Certified by Professional of Record

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Point Clouds (as an asset)

Virtual Highway Corridors◦Information Rich Point Clouds◦Aerial and Oblique Imagery

Accuracy◦Low for entire system◦Engineering/Quality in certain areas

Programmatic Approach (statewide, cyclic)Updated by Project As-Built Post Construction

Surveys

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Point Clouds (as an asset)

Integrated w/GIS◦Engineering Alignments◦Right-of-Way Boundaries◦Asset Inventory◦Pavement Conditions

Replacement for Digital Video LogSafety AnalysisAccident Reconstruction Survey (streamline)Oversize Vehicle Routing

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Proactive Data-centric Approach

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Project DevelopmentSurveyVirtual Site

3D Design

ConstructionStaking

Digitally Signed Data

20%

MachineControl

DigitallySigned

EngineeringData

Archive

80%

DigitallySigned

Future

Post Construction Survey

Tomorrow

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Digital Highway

See X

Measure X

Evaluate X

Find/Query X

Relate X

Performance X

History X

Geometry X

Documents X

Monitor X

Simulate X

Recent Example of Operational Useof LiDAR

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Sanpoil

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Thank You!

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Ron Singh, PLSChief of Surveys/Geometronics Manager

Oregon Department of Transportation