This research enhances transportation infrastructure design processes by addressing limitations of modular workflows where roadway, hydrology, lighting, and utilities design occur in separate processes with limited feedback, leading to conflicts during design review and construction stages. The project extends previous work on virtual reality applications for public involvement to include design review capabilities, partnering with Virginia Department of Transportation on a novel double roundabout design in Bristol, Virginia, an area with high pedestrian and bicycle activity. The methodology involves converting 2-D design files into comprehensive virtual reality simulations using Unity platform, integrating topographical data and creating immersive environments that showcase experiences of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists under various scenarios including different traffic densities, lighting conditions, and signal configurations. The research compares traditional 2-D plan- based design reviews with VR-based immersive reviews, allowing engineers to experience proposed designs in day and night conditions and evaluate lighting design impacts on sight distances, safety perceptions, and situational awareness. Building on survey data from 33 respondents across state DOTs, consulting firms, and universities, the project synthesizes current practices and develops standardized processes for VR integration in transportation design review workflows.
Universities Involved
University of Virginia
Principal Investigators
T. Donna Chen
Expected Research Outcomes & Impacts
The application of this research will transform transportation design review processes by enabling engineers to identify conflicts and design issues before construction through comprehensive 3D virtual model evaluation. Virginia Department of Transportation will gain enhanced capabilities to conduct integrated design reviews incorporating all infrastructure elements simultaneously, reducing conflicts that traditionally emerge during construction phases. Transportation designers will benefit from improved visualization tools allowing assessment of lighting design effectiveness, sight distance adequacy, and safety perception impacts under various conditions impossible to evaluate through traditional 2-D plan reviews. The Bristol double roundabout project will serve as a demonstration platform showcasing practical benefits of VR-based design review, potentially influencing broader adoption across Virginia’s transportation projects. Engineering professionals will experience enhanced design quality through early conflict identification and resolution, reducing costly construction change orders and project delays. Communities will benefit from improved infrastructure designs that better address pedestrian and bicycle safety considerations through comprehensive multi-modal evaluation capabilities. Long-term impacts include establishment of standardized VR integration processes across state transportation agencies, supporting more efficient and effective infrastructure design workflows.
Subject Areas
Virtual Reality, Public Policy