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| PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSPORTATION DECISION-MAKING |
COMPUTER PRESENTATIONS AND SIMULATIONS
What are computer presentations and simulations?
Computer presentations and simulations are electronic displays of information. Their power derives from a computer’s ability to provide quick access to enormous stores of data and its capacity to display and rearrange images on demand.
A variety of computer media and methods is available for use in interacting with the public with computer-based information:
Why are they useful?
Computer-generated images provide information in a stimulating, visual way. Images are more effective, immediate, and powerful than words in conveying a message. Visual images are universally understood and help surmount language barriers. Whether people are computer-literate or not, they readily respond to the visual images of computer presentations. With an image at hand, discussion among members of the community and relevant public agencies moves beyond conjecture to more substantial issues and concerns. (See Americans with Disabilities; Ethnic, Minority, and Low-income Groups.)
Computer presentations and simulations enhance interactive communication. Images are used to accommodate and incorporate community suggestions over a series of meetings. Com munity leaders explore "what if" scenarios and investigate the potential for change. Geographers at the University of Illinois have developed GIS systems for use by county planners. The system employs an interactive planning system that coordinates related information. On a computerized county map, users gain access to detailed maps or photographic images of a site. They sketch in suggestions and make copies of images, attaching text, audio, or graphic annotations. Users’ suggestions are then compared directly to the original image.
Computer images convey complex information in easily-digested segments. Individualized pieces of data on demographics or economic impacts can be turned into graphics for participants to discuss. They can present environmental and æsthetic impacts. Simulations can give a bird’s-eye, pedestrian’s, or passenger’s view, standing still or in motion.
Showing a potential facility in a familiar context enhances understanding. Digitized photographic images help overcome misconceptions and serve as a check against distortion or misrep resentation by either promoters or critics. Digitized before-and-after photos have been used by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), the New York State DOT, and the Massa chusetts Highway Department to demonstrate how high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes would look if applied in specific corridors. The Finnish National Road Administration has used this technique in developing its master plan for Helsinki.
Do they have special uses?
Computer-generated visual aids help resolve conflict. New York’s New School for Social Research used simulations to resolve a dispute between the Newark Water Commission and several New Jersey towns about growth in the city’s watershed. The Commission, State, city, and town representatives and local civic and conservation groups reviewed computer models of various scenarios for preserving the watershed lands.
Computer graphics convey complicated information simply and attractively. Graphics are projected onto walls or screens, using a portable computer and projection equipment. Data, charts, and graphs from computer-based systems can illustrate data or survey results. The Lexington–Fayette Urban County Government (Kentucky) has used lap-top computers at public meetings to project tables, diagrams, and charts to explain travel demand models, level-of-service issues, and highway capacity.
Video simulations illustrate details of future projects. New York’s Urban Development Corporation used video simulations to show community members that the Riverside South residen tial and park project could be enhanced by altering the elevated Miller Highway between 57th and 72nd Streets in Manhattan. A video kiosk with multiple choices showed the project from a variety of perspectives. Its use helped the agency and the community move the discussion beyond conjecture and toward concrete issues. (See Interactive Video Displays and Kiosks.)
Computer illustrations facilitate discussion of details. Computer images are used to illustrate specific impacts and visual characteristics. Video animations or photo mosaics facilitate discus sions concerning:
Computer images improve upon traditional scale models. Architectural scale models are limited in scope and context. They show one project alternative and cannot easily be used to portray a variety of alternatives. Scale models are delicate, do not travel well, and cannot be modified or rearranged without incurring large costs. Computer images, by contrast, have few of these difficulties.
Computer simulations reach a variety of audiences. The Portland, Oregon, Metro holds an annual Winter Transportation Fair with speakers, booths, and computer-generated exhibits and simulations about transportation. Child-care services for small children are available and include a popular computer simulation game about city planning.
Who participates? and how?
Technical committees, elected officials, community groups, and others use computer-generated illustrations as a presentation technique or work tool for public meetings, agency reports, or public documents. No computer skills are required to view a computer operator’s products.
Computer-generated data and images communicate effectively to special groups. Community members with hearing disabilities are reached through annotated visual images with text. People with limited reading skills easily understand a videotape filled with images and an explanatory voice track. (See Americans with Disabilities; Ethnic, Minority, and Low-income Groups.)
People view computer-generated materials either at meetings or at home. They see them on a wall or on large video monitors at public meetings. They use interactive compact disks or video cassettes at home or at places such as public libraries and schools. People also receive computer-generated information through electronic on-line services or via cable or public television.
People review proposals and projects at their convenience; for instance, by viewing reports that incorporate computer-generated graphics or showing video animations on home monitor screens. Dallas, Texas, Area Rapid Transit (DART) produced a bi-monthly video news maga zine with computer graphics for local cable television that reached people in 14 cities within its service area.
People discuss projects or plans based on computer-created images -- for instance, long-range plans, major investment studies, and state transportation improvement plans. The University of Miami, Florida, Center for Urban and Community Design used a simulation model to help a community task force generate recommendations for a new residential design code. Concerned about replacement of traditional bungalows with larger houses and a hurricane protection policy requiring new buildings to be raised six-to-eight feet above street level, the task force needed help visualizing change. The simulation helped people understand how changes in building height and setback would shape the character of new development.
How do agencies use the output?
Computers involve people in a public process, helping them understand the details and context of a specific transportation issue, an infrastructure project, or a transportation program. The use of computer imaging gets people energized, heightens a public meeting’s activity level, and adds excitement. Most people react strongly to images, and images are often cited as the most memorable part of a presentation or report.
Images and graphics convey a great deal of information efficiently, so that agencies do not dominate a discussion in a public meeting. Computers can enhance information used in a plan ning process or explain the scope of a project. Use of photographs, drawings, diagrams, or graphs makes a point effectively and drives home its most important components. Los Angeles, California, Metro used photographic images for the Wilshire/Vermont station on its Red Line. The Metro worked with University of California at Los Angeles design staff to show potential station designs and illustrate design concepts for public reaction and comment.
An agency can communicate quickly and receive rapid responses from participants. Presentations of data or study findings can be sent between departments, between agencies, and to participants in a process. Transmissions take place by exchange of floppy or CD-ROM disks or by modem via national and international networks. (See On-line Services.) Through such speedy transmission, agencies send out up-to-date information and keep themselves informed of quickly-developing issues or participants’ concerns.
Who leads?
Agency staff often initiate and manage computer images for presentation graphics. Simple graphics prepared with common software packages are placed in documents or projected onto screens using either overhead projectors or a computer projection machine. The process uses now-familiar technologies, including computer-aided drawing and design (CADD), geographic information systems (GIS), and transfer of information to video tapes.
Sophisticated computer simulation graphics need specialized staff. Computer simulations are complex to create and may require the expertise of computer specialists, along with special equipment. Agencies may need to hire professional consultants who specialize in environmental simulation, computer graphics, computer animation, or digitized photographs. Environmental simulation labs at research institutions offer not only video simulations but also three-dimen sional, virtual-reality presentations. These techniques can link changes in physical form to traffic, utility demand, and fiscal impacts.
What are the costs?
Computer costs are based on hardware, software, and staff time. Many agencies now have computer hardware available and assign staff to operate the machines. With computers on hand, agencies are able to take advantage of various appropriate software programs at nominal cost.
Staff time is required for learning software programs. While prices for software packages are relatively low, time for staff to learn and operate programs is often substantial.
Costs of computer materials for presentations depend on the complexity and sophistication of the presentation. A lap-top computer and a projection machine facilitate effective presentations but drive their cost up substantially. Agencies with limited budgets for presentations often transfer computer-generated images or text to printed materials or video.
Data costs dictate the usefulness of some applications. Sophisticated computer applications such as simulations are expensive, and their use may be limited to large, complex projects or issues. Simulations are relatively new and still costly, and the process of loading and manipulat ing appropriate data, formatting it, integrating it with other data, and meeting other programming requirements is labor-intensive.
How are computer presentations and simulations used with other techniques?
Computer graphics are integrated with other elements of a public involvement program. As with any presentation materials, the content of a presentation must be determined well before production of the graphics or simulation model. Materials are designed in formats that accom modate additions and changes due to public comment or suggestions. (See Public Information Materials.)
Computer graphics are used with many other public involvement techniques. GIS products, computer simulations, and travel demand forecasting models are used directly with community people. The products of these analysis tools -- data or maps portraying population and employ ment information or transportation usage forecasts -- provide useful information to the public.
Computer applications are used in surveys. University of California researchers used computer simulations to study the market potential of transit-oriented land development. Four development scenarios were simulated, with variations on transit access, commercial and retail services within walking distance, and community open space. They were shown to survey preferences of 170 residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. (See Public Opinion Surveys.)
Computer images can be part of an interactive display, whether stationary or mobile. Interactive displays for presentations and open houses use touch screens to get or give information. Computer images are central to messages or data agencies deliver on-line for inquiring participants. (See Interactive Video Displays and Kiosks.)
Media campaigns utilize computer-generated images and data. Public service announcements incorporating computer images are broadcast on television as part of an information campaign. (See Media Strategies.)
What are the drawbacks?
Illustration techniques should be used judiciously, since they are not appropriate for all projects or programs. Using such relatively new and impressive technology subjects an agency to criticism about spending limited public funds on expensive and flashy "toys." The Twin Cities, Minnesota, Metropolitan Council used GIS images in presentations, only to find that people were more interested in the data than the overall concepts illustrated. The Pennsylvania DOT found that the technologies may not be cost-effective in attracting interest and getting people involved.
Images are powerful, and they are sometimes misunderstood. For controversial subjects, computer images may suggest that an agency is biased toward one alternative. If illustrations are perceived as deceptive, the agency or the discussion process is open to question. If possible, an agency consults with people representing many positions prior to developing computer images or illustrations.
Computer illustrations usually show only two dimensions. Computer images give an idea of depth, but with some limitations. Simulations offer three dimensions, but some older programs have difficulty capturing the nuances of ambient light and depth of view. As technology changes, these problems will abate.
Are computer presentations and simulations flexible?
Flexibility is usually related to software costs. While computer simulations can be designed for great variation and manipulation, some programs are quite limited or relatively static. More complicated software programs allow an agency to not only prepare images and simulations for public presentation but also give some leeway to project designers and technicians working on-the-spot to accommodate design suggestions from the audience.
Once in place, computer graphics programs can be used repeatedly and in new ways. A complex transportation issue generates many potential solutions before reaching a set of final alternatives. Throughout this process, participants need help visualizing and understanding the characteristics of alternatives. Computer images potentially provide such visual aid.
Computer-generated images are used, modified, and re-used. Once the images and other computer materials have been made, agencies can be flexible in their use and distribution. The Orange County (California) Transit Authority made computer-generated images of alternatives for its projects. These images are used in video brochures available for borrowing. They are also used in mobile kiosks that bring interactive touch-screen programs to various areas of the county.
When are they used most effectively?
Visual images are effective at nearly any stage in a process. A visual depiction of possible changes in a transportation system can be used to acquaint community people with an agency’s tasks. Computer images work especially well when used for people with limited language skills or for groups that speak several different languages.
Computer images have particular application to alternatives, helping people visualize potential impacts and operations. They are used in corridor studies, long-range planning, transporta tion improvement programs, or other program or project tasks. Visual communication is very useful at the beginning of a project or at a critical time when decisions are being made.
For further information:
Center for Urban and Community Design, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, (305) 284-2031
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Dallas, Texas, (214) 749-3278
Environmental Simulation Center, New School for Social Research, New York, New York, (212) 229-5408
Environmental Simulation Laboratory, Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, California, (510) 642-2961
Lexington–Fayette Urban County Government Planning Division, Lexington, Kentucky, (606) 258-3160
New York State Urban Development Corporation, New York, New York, (212) 930-0431
Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange, California, (714) 560-5725
Portland Metro, Portland, Oregon, (503) 797-1743
Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A&M, (409) 845-1711
Twin Cities Metropolitan Council, Saint Paul, Minnesota, (651) 291-6423
Urban Innovations Group, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, (310) 825-4321
