INTEGRATING TRAFFIC SIMULATION INTO DESIGN VISUALIZATION: A CASE STUDYDESIGN VISUALIZATION: A CASE STUDY

Ting Wei, PE, PTOE, AICPAmerican Structurepoint, Inc.

Presented at 2010 ITE Annual Meeting

Presentation StructurePresentation Structure

Introduction on design visualization and traffic simulation

Background of case study Integration process unveiled Integration process unveiled Final thoughts

Design VisualizationDesign Visualization

Visualization formats:  2D vs. 3D Image vs. animation

Reasons to incorporate dynamic traffic elements: Reasons to incorporate dynamic traffic elements:Make visualization closer to real life conditions Extend beyond “how it looks” to “how it works” Extend beyond  how it looks  to  how it works

Design Visualization and Traffic SimulationDesign Visualization and Traffic Simulation

M h d i d i ffi l Methods to incorporate dynamic traffic elements in Design Visualization

ll k d b d l fManually keyed objects in 3D modeling software Difficulty in modeling realistic traffic movement Photo realistic video Photo‐realistic video

3D traffic simulation by traffic simulation software 3D video directly recorded in software 3D video directly recorded in software “Cartoonish” video

The challenge: incorporate realistic traffic The challenge: incorporate realistic traffic movements into a photo‐realistic visualization

Visualization ExamplesVisualization Examples

Case Study in Carmel, IndianaCase Study in Carmel, Indiana

Keystone Avenue 4‐lane divided arterial 6 existing signalized intersections to be replaced with 6 tear‐drop roundabout interchanges. 

Need for Design Visualization Public education Public education Traffic operations Corridor appearance Corridor appearance Property impacts

Roundabouts in CarmelRoundabouts in CarmelUpdated in Summer 2010

Existing Roundabouts

Roundabouts In Construction

PlannedRoundabouts

CarmelBoundary

Integration Process UnveiledIntegration Process Unveiled

A four‐step process to integrate traffic simulation into design visualization

Selected software:  VISSIM for traffic simulation VISSIM for traffic simulation 3ds Max for 3D modeling

Visualization products: Visualization products: Images Videos

Step 1: DesignStep 1: Design

Step 2: Vissim ModelingStep 2: Vissim Modeling

Network built on design geometry (two dimensions  only)

Vehicle information Vehicle information recorded in text file

Step 2: 3ds Max ModelingStep 2: 3ds Max Modeling

Photo simulation: 3D objects displayed on top of a background photo

Step 3: Image RenderingStep 3: Image Rendering

Vehicle Elevation Adjustment: BeforeVehicle Elevation Adjustment: Before

Vehicles

Pavement Surface

Pavement Surface

Vehicle Elevation Adjustment: AfterVehicle Elevation Adjustment: After

Vehicles and Pavement Surface

Step 4: Video EditingStep 4: Video Editing

Integration Process RecappedIntegration Process Recapped

Step 1: Design CAD SoftwareDevelop Horizontal and Vertical Design Elements

Step 1: Design CAD SoftwareDevelop Horizontal and Vertical Design Elements

Step 2: VISSIMCreate Traffic Simulation

Record Vehicle Position Information

Step 2: 3ds MaxCreate a Detailed 3D Model 

Step 3: 3ds MaxStep 3: 3ds Max

Record Vehicle Position Information

Insert 3D Vehicle Models Using Vehicle Information from VISSIMAdjust Vehicle Elevation if necessary

Render Images

Insert 3D Vehicle Models Using Vehicle Information from VISSIMAdjust Vehicle Elevation if necessary

Render Images

Step 4: Video Editing SoftwarePost‐process Rendered Imagesp gProduct 3D Animation Videos

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

The message delivered by design visualization is two‐fold : “It looks good and it works well!”g

The integration requires expertise in both traffic engineering and 3D modeling and cantraffic engineering and 3D modeling and can take weeks or months to complete.

It is difficult to measure the benefits of design visualization. More research is needed in order to better justify design visualization.

Thank YouThank You

http://www.carmellink.org/