Autodesk Gallery: Parsons Brinckerhoff Virtual Driving Simulator (Presidio Parkway)

"Should I pick up some milk while I'm out?"

In an earlier blog post, I talked about a presentation I attended about the Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) Project. I mentioned that the Autodesk Gallery had a driving simulator as an exhibit. Senior Marketing Manager, Kimberly Whinna, gave me some more information (an email I copied/pasted from) that I thought I would share.

The people:

• Parsons Brinckerhoff // more

"One of PB’s current infrastructure projects is the new US$1.045 billion Presidio Parkway in San Francisco. The roadway will replace Doyle Drive, a 1.5-mile road that runs from San Francisco’s Marina District through the Presidio to the southern access of the Golden Gate Bridge. Built in 1936, the existing Doyle Drive has reached its useful lifespan and is being replaced. Project construction will cause ramp closures and traffic detours for several years, attracting the scrutiny of public officials and community groups." ^Autodesk

The Autodesk software involved:

• AutoCAD Civil 3D // more
• Autodesk 3ds Max Design // more
• Autodesk Navisworks // more

PB is using BIM to maximize its ROI. (OK, I wanted to see how many acronyms I could get in the shortest sentence possible.) By using Autodesk BIM solutions, PB has been able to construct the project virtually before it was built in the real world. "PB used AutoCAD Civil 3D to create a virtual model of the infrastructure project and Navisworks for construction planning. PB also used 3ds Max Design to create model-based visualizations of the project. This solution enabled the design team to analyze early-stage design alternatives, evaluate construction plans, and more clearly communicate the design proposals to public constituencies - helping to speed the approval process and allay public concerns about the project." ^Autodesk

"Are we there yet?"

Now on to the fun part. "PB developed a virtual driving experience for the new Presidio Parkway to run on an arcade-style vehicle simulator in order to give stakeholders an immersive and realistic driving experience of the future roadway. Three 46-inch monitors mounted 48 inches from the driver create a 150-degree horizontal field of view (FOV) and a 60-degree vertical FOV that effectively fills the driver’s entire field-of-view. Most large-scale transportation projects develop 3D models as part of their ongoing outreach efforts. These assets can be re-purposed relatively easily into content for real-time simulations such as that for the Presidio Parkway." ^{CE News}

"Autodesk 3DS Max is used to model roadways and surrounding context, and for details such as street signs, vehicles, and landscaping. Geospatial data, including digital elevation models and aerial imagery, are imported and optimized in 3DS Max to produce the surrounding terrain in simulated environments. The final step involves porting the 3D content into the Epic Games’ production environment, the Unreal Development Kit (UDK). Both 3DS Max and UDK provide tools to support the optimization of 3D geometry for real-time performance. Lighting and shading, as well as material definitions for 3D content, are all defined and controlled by the UDK engine. Interactivity and artificial intelligence for the various scenarios also are developed using this tool set." ^{CE News}

Thanks for the info Kim. The gallery at One Market is open to the public on Wednesdays from 12 pm to 5 pm, and admission is free. Visit us.

Experiencing it before its real is alive in the lab.