1. GIS Education in Transportation Engineering Brian L. Smith University of Virginia Department of Civil Engineering

2. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Presentation Overview The challenge The University of Virginia approach Classroom Research Conclusions

3. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Transportation Engineering Broad discipline concerned with the safe, efficient movement of people and goods. Surface transportation focus Key characteristics Extensive infrastructure Complex operational issues Information becoming a key component

4. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Analysis of Spatial Data Must consider spatial data to effectively address surface transportation challenges. GIS-T – a subfield that has arisen to address GIS applications in transportation. So … what is different here?

5. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Transportation Issues Some “traditional” site planning/analysis Corridor analysis Location and design Real-time applications are becoming key Considerable confusion concerning the “line” between CAD and GIS.

6. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference More Transportation Issues Data is a bit different Networks Linear reference is very important In many cases – the spatial location of an object changes frequently, not the attributes Extensive, poorly spatially referenced databases exist (legacy)

7. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference University of Virginia Approach Coursework Introduction to GIS Research Smart Travel Laboratory

8. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Introduction to GIS Upper level undergraduate/graduate course in Civil Engineering “General” civil engineering – not just transportation Enrollment from other engineering disciplines and urban planning Focus on team projects addressing all components of GIS “problem solving”

9. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Guiding Principles Don’t teach software Use course as a means to introduce information technology in the civil engineering curriculum. Use course as a means of encouraging CE’s to “think spatially” (particularly given the discontinuation of surveying course)

10. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Course Syllabus Cartographic Principles * Data Structures Data Acquisition/Input Remote Sensing/GPS * Analysis Traditional Network/Spatial Output Custom Applications

11. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Grading Exams (2 interim, 1 final) Homework ArcView Lab Exercises Project 25% of grade Special Topics Report Graduate students

12. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Geostat Center Data & GIS resource for the university Provided and administered by the library system An indispensable partner for the course!

13. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Research Provides outstanding educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students Focus of research program: intelligent transportation systems

14. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Smart Travel Laboratory Laboratory established specifically to support the development and operations of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) Joint Facility: UVA and VTRC Established in June 1998 Distinguishing characteristics Access to real-time ITS data and video Advanced information technology On-site traffic data collection

15. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference How the Lab Works Real-time links to operational transportation management systems data video Management software Simulation Smart Travel Van

16. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference STL Video

17. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Phase 1 - Complete Integration with Hampton Roads Smart Traffic Center Freeway management system 203 sensor stations 38 video cameras Integration with Northern Virginia Traffic Signal System Over 900 intersections

19. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference The Web THE primary means of disseminating data/information Implications of mobile platforms Designing effective web-based applications with data that is constantly changing

20. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference

21. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Maps – Interface for … Real-time traffic conditions Identification of “abnormal” locations Forecasted conditions Travel time estimation Basic analysis tools Data extractor tools

22. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Current Project – Map Usability No longer just maps – dynamic applications Little knowledge of user ability to effectively use the maps Learn from cartography Formal study with “human subjects”

23. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Flexroute Transit Small number of fixed stops with predetermined schedule Provide on-demand service between fixed stops when feasible Required subsystems AVL Communications Schedule/Dispatch Support System

24. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Service Characteristics

25. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Flexroute Scheduling & Dispatching Direction of Travel Inbound/Outbound Spatial Location of Requests Relation to Fixed Stops Temporal Requirements Feasibility of Service Provision Manage Committed Rides

26. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference GIS-Based Prototype ESRI’s ArcView Avenue (55 scripts) Dialogue Designer Network Analyst Transportation Network TIGER Data Management Shapefiles

27. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Modified Routes

28. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Software Development Functional requirements Formal design document Application development User acceptance testing

29. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference GIS Functionality Address Geocoding Use of map interface to fine-tune if necessary (reverse geocoding) Allows for trip direction to be determined Analysis of Spatial Relations Buffers created to determine initial ride eligibility

30. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference GIS Functionality (ctd) Network Analysis Shortest path problem with time window constraints Shortest path between fixed stops servicing each committed on-demand stop If adding a new trip violates time constraints, trip is not allowed Use of map interface to search for feasible alternatives

31. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference Summary – Educational “Lessons” in Research Real-life GIS challenges Data acquisition Coordinate systems, datums, etc. Software development Extend application of GIS beyond site planning/identification Learn what a GIS (or database) is not well suited to support

32. July 7, 20012001 ESRI Education User Conference For More Information Brian L. Smith briansmith@virginia.edu http://SmartTravelLab.virginia.edu