VISUALIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF A ‘LABORATORY’ FOR COLLABORATIVE ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC HEALTH MOBILITY RESEARCH R. Hughes, S. Turner, H. Landphair, Jodi

VISUALIZATION VISUALIZATION

IN THE CONTEXT OF A ‘LABORATORY’ IN THE CONTEXT OF A ‘LABORATORY’

FOR COLLABORATIVE ENGINEERING FOR COLLABORATIVE ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC HEALTH MOBILITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH MOBILITY

RESEARCHRESEARCH

R. Hughes, S. Turner, H. Landphair, Jodi Naderi, and Mike ManserR. Hughes, S. Turner, H. Landphair, Jodi Naderi, and Mike Manser

A Joint Venture BetweenA Joint Venture Between

The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research CenterThe University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center

and theand the

Center for Transportation Safety of the Texas Transportation InstituteCenter for Transportation Safety of the Texas Transportation Institute

Presented at:Presented at:

TRB Visualization in Transportation Workshop and SymposiumTRB Visualization in Transportation Workshop and Symposium

Salt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City, Utah

April 2002April 2002

The Challenge:The Challenge:SafeSafe and and accessibleaccessible facilities for pedestrians facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists are a necessary but and bicyclists are a necessary but not sufficient not sufficient condition for increasing the perceived condition for increasing the perceived value of value of activityactivity and the health related behaviors and the health related behaviors dependent upon that perception for their dependent upon that perception for their maintenance.maintenance.

““Overweight and obesity are among the most Overweight and obesity are among the most pressing new health challenges we face pressing new health challenges we face today,"today,"

HHS Secretary Tommy G. ThompsonHHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson

"Overweight and obesity may soon cause as much "Overweight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking" smoking"

Surgeon General David SatcherSurgeon General David Satcher

Underlying Premise:Underlying Premise:It should be possible to design the built It should be possible to design the built environment in ways that are not only environment in ways that are not only conducive to mobility and safety, but also in conducive to mobility and safety, but also in ways that are conducive to the maintenance ways that are conducive to the maintenance of improved public health.of improved public health.

This is not another road building or sidewalk This is not another road building or sidewalk improvement project. Engineering ‘know-how’ improvement project. Engineering ‘know-how’ is not the sole answer. is not the sole answer.

The answer will require a concerted, multi-The answer will require a concerted, multi-disciplinary effort drawing upon the combined disciplinary effort drawing upon the combined strengths of the engineering strengths of the engineering andand public health public health disciplines.disciplines.

The Notion of a ‘Laboratory’The Notion of a ‘Laboratory’

““To provide a state-of-the-art environment for To provide a state-of-the-art environment for conducting well controlled, collaborative conducting well controlled, collaborative research focusing on both the research focusing on both the engineeringengineering as as well as well as public healthpublic health aspects of non-motorized aspects of non-motorized travel.”travel.”

– 3D/4D Visualization3D/4D Visualization– Ped/Bike R&D (PBIC)Ped/Bike R&D (PBIC)– Real-Time Visual SimulationReal-Time Visual Simulation– Computer ModelingComputer Modeling– Prototype and Full Operational EvaluationsPrototype and Full Operational Evaluations

TTI and HSRC CollaborationTTI and HSRC CollaborationIMPROVING THE TOOLS FOR NON-MOTORIZED TRAVEL RESEARCHIMPROVING THE TOOLS FOR NON-MOTORIZED TRAVEL RESEARCH

Visualization in the Context of a Visualization in the Context of a Pedestrian Pedestrian LaboratoryLaboratory

SIMULATORSIMULATOR

3D/4D VISUALIZATION3D/4D VISUALIZATION

COMPUTER MODELSCOMPUTER MODELS

REAL WORLDREAL WORLD

PROTOTYPE EVALUATIONPROTOTYPE EVALUATION

THE IDEA OF A THE IDEA OF A SIMULATOR SIMULATOR FOR PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE RESEARCHFOR PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE RESEARCH(EARLY RESEARCH FOR FHWA/FDOT)(EARLY RESEARCH FOR FHWA/FDOT)

Figure 11.Perceived Overall Risk as Judged From Virtual and 'Real'

Roadside Vantage Points

Standard W.Curb Lane Bike Lane1

2

3

4

5

6 Virtual Real

Note: Ratings have been collapsed across two levels of traffic speeds and two levels of traffic volume.

• RANGE OF FACILITY TYPES RANGE OF FACILITY TYPES •SIDEWALKSSIDEWALKS•TRAILSTRAILS•CROSSWALKSCROSSWALKS•TRAFFIC CALMING TREATMENTSTRAFFIC CALMING TREATMENTS

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTSFUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTSINTERSECTIONSINTERSECTIONS

CROSSWALKSCROSSWALKS

SIDEWALKSSIDEWALKS

TRAILS AND TRAILS AND MULTI-USE PATHSMULTI-USE PATHS

TRAFFIC CALMINGTRAFFIC CALMING

• RANGE OF USERS RANGE OF USERS

•MOTORIZEDMOTORIZED

•NON-MOTORIZEDNON-MOTORIZED

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTSFUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

•SELECTABLE VOLUMES AND MIX

•INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTICS


• FACILITY DESIGN (MARKINGS, FACILITY DESIGN (MARKINGS, WIDTH, ALIGNMENT, ETC.)WIDTH, ALIGNMENT, ETC.)

• LIGHTING, ILLUMINATED AND LIGHTING, ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING WARNINGSFLASHING WARNINGS


•TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES (BOTH CONVENTIONAL AND (BOTH CONVENTIONAL AND PROPOSEDPROPOSED

• INCLUDING ACCESSIBLE INCLUDING ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS (APSPEDESTRIAN SIGNALS (APS)


• Data Base DevelopmentData Base Development• dedicated in-house capability• contractor supported

• Visual displayVisual display

• overhead projection and projector type

• flat or curved surface (screen)

• helmet display (head and/or eye tracked)

• display resolution, brightness, and contrast

SIMULATOR TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS, CON’TSIMULATOR TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS, CON’T

SIMULATOR TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS, CON’TSIMULATOR TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS, CON’T

• Auditory SimulationAuditory Simulation

• 3D 3D traffic sounds (attached to individual vehicles)

• ambient noise

• signals (e.g., APS) with correct locus of sound in terms of horizontal and vertical location of source and masking by traffic noise)

• Performance Measurement and AnalysisPerformance Measurement and Analysis

• sampling ratessampling rates

• pedestrian and traffic-specific measures of pedestrian and traffic-specific measures of performanceperformance

• on-line data reduction or post-processingon-line data reduction or post-processing

Major Simulator Major Simulator DesignDesign Issues: Issues:

• LocomotionLocomotion (moving through the environment)• joystick, treadmill, pre-programmed path viewed either inside/out (from observer’s viewpoint or outside/in (from 3rd person perspective as in a ‘fly over’)

• Image Generation,Visual Data Base and Image Generation,Visual Data Base and Scene ContentScene Content

• number of image generation (IG) channels required• number of different ‘eye points’ required • number of independently controllable moving objects (e.g.,pedestrians, vehicles)• rules of engagement (collision detection and avoidance)• strict rules or stochastic/probabilistic• realism (e.g., articulation)

‘‘SIMNET’SIMNET’ (low cost,networked simulation (vehicle oriented), originally part of DARPA strategic computing initiative)

Evolved into Distributed Interactive Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS)Simulation (DIS)

ADST II ProgramADST II Program (incorporating the dismounted soldier)

• STRICOM• Naval Post Graduate School• Lockheed-Martin• Reality By Design

Science and Technology Objectives Science and Technology Objectives (STOs)(STOs)

•Individual Combatant & Small Unit Operations Simulation

•Virtual Environments for Dismounted Soldier Simulation,Training,and Mission Rehearsal

DoDDoD““Tech Tech Base”Base”

Helmet Display

VirtualWeapon

Omni-Directional Treadmill

Vehicle SimulationVehicle Simulation NADS FHWA Turner-Fairbank University/Industry

Traffic ModelingTraffic Modeling (e.g., Corsim, NetSim, VisSim, etc . . . Predomantly vehicle oriented)

Computer Aided Design Computer Aided Design (CAD)(CAD)

And VisualizationAnd Visualization 3D models, animation, 3D/4D visualization,etc. (mostly facility oriented)

DOT Simulation and ModelingDOT Simulation and Modeling‘‘Tech Base’Tech Base’

Real time avi (movie) output from VisSim showing Real time avi (movie) output from VisSim showing pedestrian crossing at pedestrian-actuated signal pedestrian crossing at pedestrian-actuated signal upstream from the roundaboutupstream from the roundabout (from NCSU Pullen Park simulation)(from NCSU Pullen Park simulation)

Potential Site on TAMU CampusPotential Site on TAMU CampusFor Trail and Path PrototypingFor Trail and Path Prototyping

PBIC Pedestrian PBIC Pedestrian Research NeedsResearch Needs

PBIC Bicycle PBIC Bicycle Research NeedsResearch Needs

Suitability of Research SettingSuitability of Research Setting Simulator Prototype Operational Computer Model 3D/4D Visualization

Need 1Need 2 XNeed 3 X

Need 'n'

Visual Data Base Perf Measurement Locomotion Visual Display Vehicles Other PedsNeed 2Need 3

Traffic

Identification of Research-Specific Simulator RequirementsIdentification of Research-Specific Simulator Requirements

Determining Most Appropriate Research SettingDetermining Most Appropriate Research Setting

Ped and Bike Research CategoriesPed and Bike Research Categories(Broad Areas)(Broad Areas)

Demand Management and Forecasting

Crash/Risk Analysis

Facility Evaluation Design and Engineering (Standards & Guidelines)

Policy and Planning

Land Use and Urban Design

Enforcement and Education

Health and Physical Activity

ADA Issues (Ped Only)

Ped and Bike Research CategoriesPed and Bike Research Categories(Broad Areas)(Broad Areas)

Demand Management and Forecasting

Crash/Risk Analysis

Facility Evaluation Design and Engineering (Standards & Guidelines)

Policy and Planning

Land Use and Urban Design

Enforcement and Education

Health and Physical Activity

ADA Issues (Ped Only)

For Example:

Factors that Increase Crashes/Injuries/Risk at

Trail-Roadway Intersections

Factors that Increase Crashes/Injuries/Risk at

Midblock Locations

Crash/Risk AnalysisCrash/Risk Analysis(Areas of Common Ped and Bike Research Needs)(Areas of Common Ped and Bike Research Needs)

Health and Physical Health and Physical ActivityActivity

((new research needs, customers, and funding sources)new research needs, customers, and funding sources)

Research Needs (according to

PBIC):

• Variables that Influence the

Amount of Routine Walking for

Leisure and Transportation

• Objective Measures of Walkability

of Communities for Large Physical

Activity Studies

• Strategies to Increase Walking to

School

• Relationship Between Childhood

Obesity and the Pedestrian and

Open Space Environment

New Customers/Funding Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• Robert Wood Johnson

Importance of the ‘laboratory’ Importance of the ‘laboratory’ from a visualization standpoint:from a visualization standpoint:

1.1. Integrates 3D/4D photo-simulation/animation Integrates 3D/4D photo-simulation/animation and real time applications.and real time applications.

2.2. Incorporates high speed traffic models with high Incorporates high speed traffic models with high resolution 3D/4D graphic outputsresolution 3D/4D graphic outputs

3.3. Forces consideration of the commonality and/or Forces consideration of the commonality and/or compatibility of elements (e.g., representation of compatibility of elements (e.g., representation of ‘traffic’) across various applications (e.g, ‘traffic’) across various applications (e.g, simulator, traffic model, visualization, etc.)simulator, traffic model, visualization, etc.)

4.4. Extends use of visualization (in various Extends use of visualization (in various applications) for soliciting user ‘perceptions’ of applications) for soliciting user ‘perceptions’ of critical design elements.critical design elements.

THE BOTTOM LINETHE BOTTOM LINE

A ‘pedestrian friendly’ A ‘pedestrian friendly’ and ‘bicycle friendly’ and ‘bicycle friendly’ environment provides environment provides the ‘opportunity’ for the ‘opportunity’ for persons to walk persons to walk and/or ride. . .and/or ride. . .


A ‘pedestrian friendly’ A ‘pedestrian friendly’ and ‘bicycle friendly’ and ‘bicycle friendly’ environment provides environment provides the ‘opportunity’ for the ‘opportunity’ for persons to walk persons to walk and/or ride. . .and/or ride. . .

But will improved But will improved opportunity be opportunity be sufficient to sufficient to significantly increase significantly increase the level of activity of the level of activity of the general public?the general public?


‘‘Opportunity,’ without a Opportunity,’ without a change in how one change in how one valuesvalues these activities, is not these activities, is not likely to change public likely to change public behavior.behavior.


‘‘Opportunity,’ without a Opportunity,’ without a change in how one values change in how one values these activities, is not these activities, is not likely to change public likely to change public behavior.behavior.

What we have yet to do is What we have yet to do is to discover how our to discover how our ‘science’ and ‘science’ and ‘technology’ can be used ‘technology’ can be used to affect individual and to affect individual and public ‘values,’ per se, public ‘values,’ per se, and in turn be a real and in turn be a real agent for change.agent for change.

Go to: http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/research/human_virtual.htm

FOR MORE INFORMATIONFOR MORE INFORMATION

Where you will also find:

• Overview of pedestrian ‘laboratory’ concept• PBIC lists of pedestrian and bicycle research needs• Draft functional requirements for HSRC-TTI simulator• Link to download VisSim avi movie file showing roundabout application• NCDOT Visualization Guidelines• FDOT Risk Perception Study (the ‘virtual bike’ study)• Technical summary of Key West visualization effectiveness study (CD also available)• Future of simulation and modeling in the Florida DOT (strategic plan)

For more information, contact: Dr. Ron Hughes (HSRC)919-962-7411 (voice)919-962-8710 (FAX)[email protected]

For more information on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, go to:http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/

Documents

VISUALIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF A ‘LABORATORY’ FOR COLLABORATIVE ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC HEALTH MOBILITY RESEARCH R. Hughes, S. Turner, H. Landphair, Jodi