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3PURPOSE OF SYNTHESIS Following is a definition that has been used to describe the technology known as visualization: Using the computer to convert data into picture form. The most basic visualization is that of turning transaction data and sum- mary information into charts and graphs. Visualization is used in computer-aided design (CAD) to render screen images into 3-D [three-dimensional] models that can be viewed from all angles and which can also be animated (1). This definition, although useful, is just one of many definitions that have been used for the term. Varying definitions have led transportation planners, designers, and engineers to interpret visualization differently. To combat this confusion, trans- portation agencies look to other agencies for help in address- ing their needs for visualization. This synthesis focuses on the best practices and experiences with leading transportation agencies that are developing and incorporating visualization into the âpreconstructionâ component of the project develop- ment process. The information gathered from the case study agencies will address (but not be limited to) the following topics: ⢠Business drivers who started the process of adopting visualization technologies; ⢠Evolution of the process of adopting visualization technologies; ⢠Integration of visualization with other agency processes (in particular, other processes using spatial data); ⢠Visual interviews with key individuals (i.e., testimonials); ⢠Hardware and software used to generate applications; ⢠Activities for which visualization is being used, including design/build, context-sensitive solutions, and homeland security; ⢠Staffing and training (e.g., in-house versus contracted, centralized versus decentralized, and number of per- sons doing visualization); ⢠Costs (e.g., costs relative to overall project costs); ⢠Benefits (e.g., reduced change orders and litigation, improved public buy-in to projects, and streamlining of processes); ⢠Examples of successful use (e.g., for internal design coor- dination and for public involvement); ⢠Lessons learned (i.e., what worked and what did not work); ⢠Institutional issues, including upper management sup- port; and ⢠Ways to sustain visualization production capability. In summary, this synthesis report provides transportation agencies with a concise set of case studies that highlights the best practices and experiences of using visualization within the project development process. SCOPE OF WORK This synthesis report has been generated by conducting inter- views with various transportation agencies, universities, and consultants throughout the United States. The interview ques- tionnaire for this synthesis appears as Appendix G. Interviews were conducted from March 2005 through June 2005 and included the following agencies and organizations: ⢠New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) ⢠Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) ⢠California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) ⢠FHWAâEastern Federal Lands ⢠Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) ⢠Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) ⢠TRBâTransportation Safety ⢠State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo ⢠Illinois Institute of Technology ⢠Bentley Systems, Inc. ⢠URS Creative Imaging Group. To augment and assist in the preparation of these interviews, additional information was acquired through the Internet and the review of previous TRB and AASHTO documentation con- cerning the uses of visualization. This report focused on obtaining case studies of the best practices and experiences of visualization within transporta- tion agencies. Its intent is to describe the uses of visualization in an effort to develop standards and guidelines. Currently, there are no national standard visualization guidelines that transportation agencies follow. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
ORGANIZATION OF SYNTHESIS This synthesis is presented in five chapters. This first chapter details the synthesis purpose and scope. Chapter two provides an overview of visualization. Topics include the definition of visualization, the history of visualiza- tion within the transportation design community, the need for visualization (e.g., for cost savings, production schedule, increased communication, and better design), the uses of visualization (e.g., for design review, interference detection, construction sequencing, approval, public involvement, and homeland security), and the applications used in visualization. Chapter three details case studies recommended by the panel from state DOTs; the FHWA; and other agencies, con- sultants, and vendors referred by the state DOT and FHWA interviewees. The case studies focus on the best practices process, which includes initiating a visualization program, obstacles, goals, benefits, costs, savings, shortcomings, lessons learned, and next steps. 4 Chapter four addresses the challenges of visualization. It focuses on how transportation agencies are integrating visu- alization into the design process and how there is a need for a costâbenefit analysis to assist that need. The chapter also investigates the personnel involved in the visualization process. It describes how decision makers, technicians, and project managers interact with each other during the design process. Staffing, training, funding, and approvals awareness and visualization tools are presented. The issues of standard- ization and guidelines are also discussed. Chapter five compares the results of this synthesis study with the results of a similar 1996 study. It describes how the use of visualization has changed in the past decade, includ- ing what has worked and what has not worked. Chapter six presents the conclusions. It summarizes opportunities to advance visualization in transportation, presents additional findings, and provides concluding remarks.
