Roadway Design Models:
Streamlining Conversion for Driving
Simulation
Shawn Allen
The National Advanced Driving Simulator
Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium 2013
The National Advanced Driving
Simulator
Background
• Visualization
–
–
–
–
Look and feel of project
Design proof of concept
Buy-in from project stakeholders
Limited presentation of operational aspects
• Driving Simulation
– Virtual “computerized” model
– Test drive of appearance AND operation
– As with visualization, comes in many “flavors”.. Ie,
levels of simulator fidelity
Current Parallel to Virtual Testing
Test Drive It Before You Build It
• Virtual proof of concept
– Build it in a computer before you actually build it
in the real world
• Determination of satisfactory conditions
• Public relations
Visualization Case Studies
MnDOT Highway 61 Bridge Project
Hwy 99 Alaskan Way Tunnel
Is a Driving Simulator a
Good Test Case?
http://www.madsciencemuseum.com/msm/pl/billboard_experiment
Making A Case for Driving Simulators
• FAA guidelines permit pilot training on certified
simulators to substitute for actual hands-on in the
real-world
• Extensive simulation use across industry sectors
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/boeing787-flight-simulator_photo_1481525.htm
http://www.graphit.hu/Tecnomatix/Produc
ts/Plant%20Simulation.aspx
Uses of Driving Simulation for
Transportation Visualization
•
•
•
•
Research
Training
Outreach
Human factors and operational evaluation:
– Speed selection
– Lane selection
– Gap acceptance
– Sign comprehension and compliance
– Workzone driving performance
FHWA Simulator Case Study
• Diverging Diamond Interchange
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/07048/
Transportation Model Conversion to
Driving Simulator Model
Transportation model
Driving simulator model
Transportation Design Model
• Goal: “hands-free” conversion
• Significantly more data than needed for
simulation
• Access to required elements requires
adherence to design standards or robust
interrogation algorithms, or both
Elements Required* for Simulation
Visual Model
Road centerline
Lateral profile
Lanes
Junctions
Pavement surface
Surface type
Shoulders, ROW
Grading (fill, granular, special,
side slopes, pavement bottom,
earth fill)
Underlayment
DOT Design file
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
*Characteristics for NADS simulators
X
Simulator Attribute
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Design Model Data Processing
Prototype Converter Tool
XMLtoTri
visual
Bentley
Microstation
Design File
Iowa DOT
LandXML file
Existing MiniSim Simulator Production Pipeline
NADS
BeX
visuals file
visualizer
XMLtoLRI
logical
tilegen
.top
.crdr
.road
.isxn
.pet
.corr
.path
Elev.
map
visual data pathway
NADS
lrigeneration
NADS
lricc
NADS
LRI file
NADS
BLI file
logical data pathway
simulator input data
Iowa DOT/InTrans Converter Prototype Technical Report
NADS
ISAT
Simulator
Scenario file
Simulator
visualization
Issues Encountered
• Challenges accessing source data
• Invalid data in test model (source)
Boundary data spikes
Triangulated surface errors at overpass
Future Steps
• Identify & secure project funding
– Proposal under review for University of Iowa to
become a University Transportation Center
• Improve surface processing to include texture
• Improve data algorithms for general-purpose
– More model design types
– Greater project complexity
– Smooth junction connectors
• Include additional attributes
– Lane markings, signage, etc.
Thank You!
Virtual Iowa City Simulator Model
contacts@nads-sc.uiowa.edu
Acknowledgements
• The Iowa Department of Transportation
• Center for Transportation Research and
Education at Iowa State University
• Charles Hixon III, Bergman Associates
• Michael Manore, Vispective Management
Consulting