Applications of 3-D and 4-D visualization technology in transportation

This synthesis describes the application of computer graphics technology to transportation practice. It will be of interest to transportation planners, facilities design and construction personnel, traffic engineers, and other officials concerned with administration, public information, legal aspects, right-of-way, maintenance, operations, and safety of transportation facilities. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the use of 3-D (artist's concepts and image composites) and 4-D (animation) visualization applications in transportation agencies; however, since there are presently only limited applications, it is, in fact, a primer, providing information on the required hardware and software, as well as on costs, production time, and issues of complexity. More detailed information is provided on how data bases are assembled, various types of imagery, how the visualization image is generated, rendering and animation programs, printers and other output and postproduction activities. An extensive glossary is also included.