The Visualization Toolbox: A Practical Primer for Transportation

Transcription

1 The Visualization Toolbox: A Practical Primer for Transportation Presented By Ben Williams Federal Highway Administration Resource Center GIS-T 2011 Hershey, PA

2 Agenda for Talk FHWA Regs, FHWA Working Group, 2009 Visualization Peer Exchange, 2009 Visualization and Project Development Case Studies, Free Visualization Software

3 23 CFR Visualization Techniques means methods employed by States and MPOs in the development of transportation plans and programs with the public, elected and appointed officials, and other stakeholders in a clear and easily accessible format such as maps, pictures, and/or displays, to promote improved understanding of existing transportation plans and programs.

4 23 CFR (a) the State shall develop and use a documented public involvement process that. (a)(1) The State s public involvement process at a minimum shall: (a)(1)(v) To the maximum extent practicable use visualization techniques to describe the proposed long-range plans and supporting studies

5 23 CFR (a) The MPO shall develop and use a documented participation plan. (a)(1) The participation plan shall at a minimum, describe explicit procedures, strategies and desired outcomes for: (a)(1)(iii) Employing visualization techniques to describe metropolitan plans and TIPS.

6 FHWA Visualization Working Group The Working Group will define and initiate projects and efforts to promote the use of visualization techniques to accomplish the FHWA mission. These activities will include the application of visualization to current activities; development of resources, training, outreach, and representation at conferences.

7 2010 Funded Projects Visualizing the National Household Travel Survey through an on-line GIS, Visualizing Federal Lands Management Systems Data, Best Practices in GIS Based Transportation Asset Management, Advancing Awareness of Strategic Opportunities for the use of Innovative Data Visualization at FHWA.

8 6th International Visualization in Transportation Symposium & Workshop in 2011 August 20-23, 2011 Chicago, Illinois Visualization in Transportation Committee (ABJ95) Michael Manore, Chair

9 FHWA Funded Peer Exchanges

10 Applications of 3D Visualization Peer Exchange Raleigh, NC July 8-9, 2009 Participants: MPOs DOTs Baltimore Metropolitan Council Volusia County MPO North Carolina California Minnesota New York Washington

11 San Francisco Oakland Bridge Construction Phasing Simulation Screen shot of total households by intention use used in BMC s vision effort. Google Sketch-up 3D model of a roadside rest area in southern California

12 Key Findings Transportation is just a small component of visualization, more is focused on gaming industry, Most DOTs and MPOs rely on outside consultants, Enhancing Communication Visual techniques facilitate communication with a wide variety of stakeholders, Products & level of detail should be appropriate for audience,

13 Key Findings Evaluating Effectiveness Visualization requires investment in $ and staff, Result is need to quantify benefits, Impacts are often subjective, more qualitative approach necessary, Internal vs. Consultant Decision often made, project by project, Depends on turn around time & if design done in house,

14 Key Findings Hiring & Retaining Staff No visualization job classification at State DOTs, Few classifications limit ability to recruit and hire staff with appropriate skills, such as those with graphic or visual design backgrounds, Creativity is not something you can teach, The job classification structure also limits staff advancement

15 Showcasing Visualization Tools in Congestion Management The report will be posted at by March 2011 along with the new CMP Guidebook and case studies.

16 Know your audience Visuals should be simple, clear, and concise for the general public, but not too simplified as to decrease importance Comparisons are often effective when presenting to elected officials and other stakeholders Source: MWCOG CLRP Website, performance/congestion.asp

17 Avoid too much visual information Keep the variety of data to a minimum to avoid clutter, confusion, and information overload Ensure advanced forms of visualization have a functional purpose and do not obstruct the message Source: Transportation Monitoring and Management Report: Metropolitan Hartford Area, 2005, Capitol Region Council of Governments, 2007.

18 Consider placing complex visuals online Visually complex items may be better suited for online display, which can allow for greater customization and manipulation by the reader Refrain from representing interactive tools on static paper unless the message and experience is easily transferable Source: BMC Website:

19 Multimodal Demonstration Source: Congestion Management System Performance Report, Hillsborough County MPO, 2005.

20 Discern observed and forecasted data Make a clear distinction between observed and forecasted data to avoid confusion When using forecasts, consider comparisons with observed data Source: Congestion Management Process Document, North Central Texas Council of Governments,

21 Travel time contour maps Source: Congestion Management Process Update 2005: Technical Memorandum 5, Atlanta Regional Commission, 2005.

22 Consider online tools for the public Online tools can take multiple similar maps and combine them into one map that allows users to turn layers on and off Source: WILMAPCO CMS Website:

23 Use appropriate colors for data types Green red for acceptable unacceptable Light dark color for light dense/heavy Source: Puget Sound Regional Council. The Relationship Between Congestion Management and the Planning Process. July Available at ot.gov/docs/cs_relationship.p df.

24 Congestion based on observed data This is an example of using color-coded regional-scale maps to display measured speed and congestion data and metrics derived from these data. Source: OKI Congestion Management Process Findings and Analysis, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, 2007

25 Source: 2010 Congestion Management Process (CMP) Technical Report (DRAFT), Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Spatial variability of the covered highways, which includes many of the area freeways and some of the arterials, during a weekday at the peak AM time segment.

26 Spatial Temporal Display This is an example of a combined spatialtemporal display as it shows the variation in congestion by three hourly time periods within the morning 3-hour peak-period by segments of the loop. Source: Traffic Quality on the Metropolitan Washington Area Freeway System, National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, Prepared by Skycomp, Inc., May 2009.

27 The average directional speed by location along an expressway corridor as well as by Timeof-Day throughout a selected sample day. It enables planners to focus in on the most densely congested areas and view the extent of congestion around each area so that the seriousness of the congestion in terms of delay can be assessed. Source: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning CMP Performance Measurement Website (2007 data)

28 Congestion and variability over time Change of level-ofservice for a segment of highway at defined points during a day for three selected years.. Source: 2007 Traffic Conditions in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area, North Central Texas Council of Governments, 2007.

29 Charts, graphs, and tables Source: WFRC Traffic Congestion Report, Wasatch Front Regional Council, 2009.

30 Use of video or animations (online) Traffic conditions before and after the implementation of several CMP strategies at this location, and highlights the vast improvement in travel time through the corridor (as both videos are played simultaneously). Source: SPC Transportation website:

31 Visualization, NEPA & Project Development Case Studies

32 Alaskan Way Viaduct The Alaskan Way Viaduct is a two level, four mile long roadway that runs through Seattle s downtown waterfront. The Viaduct, which was constructed in the 1950s, carries nearly a quarter of the traffic, or 110,000 cars a day, After years of daily wear and tear, the Viaduct was showing signs of deterioration and vulnerability. The Nisqually earthquake of 2001 further damaged the already aging Alaskan Way Viaduct as well as the Seawall, which holds the soil in place along Seattle s waterfront. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) subsequently determined that, instead of retrofitting, the viaduct and Seawall needed to be replaced.

33 THE USE OF VISUAL TOOLS THROUGH THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Early on, were used to convey WSDOT s of the structure to the public. As the project progressed through alternatives analysis and into the environmental review process, more, the tunnel and the elevated structure. The team created a full digital model of existing buildings and structures in downtown Seattle,

34 Examples Elevated Structure Alternative Tunnel Alternative Elevated Alternative Drivers View Underground Obstructions

35 Examples Screenshot from a construction phasing simulation

36 OUTCOMES OF USING VISUALS The use of visualizations for the central waterfront portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement program helped the project team reach a broader range of the public. By posting the visuals on the project website and though various media outlets, the project team was able to reach a wide spectrum of the public, especially those who do not typically attend public meetings. In addition to enhancing communication with the general public, the visual tools also proved useful in facilitating feedback on the project design from stakeholders due to the ease of explaining the technical design through a visual. From a design standpoint, the visualizations were an invaluable tool to help the designers make informeddecisions efficiently.

37 Case Study Report - LESSONS LEARNED The level of detail to show in visualizations depends on the phase the project is in. Schedule an appropriate amount of time for coordination between the project team and the visualization team to review, revise, and finalize the visuals. While visualizations provide a good communication tool, even the most sophisticated visuals cannot serve as a substitute for ongoing coordination with key decision makers.

38 TRANSVIEW SOFTWARE

39 TransView Software Developed by FHWA, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission & Orbital Technologies Corp. Easy-to-use, powerful tool to help communities make better decisions, Create a three-dimensional visualization of a development scenario, Users can walk through drive through or fly over neighborhood, Users gain a better understanding of the different ways in which their community could look, feel and function in the future.

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44 Predefined Scenarios New Urbanism Low Impact Development Conservation Subdivision Complete Streets

45 More Info: FTA Choosing Visualization in Transportation FHWA Buffalo Site FHWA Visualization in Planning vip/index.htm

46 Ben Williams, P.E. FHWA Resource Center Planning Technical Service Team