4-D Imaging To Help Inauguration Tourists
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed what they call a four-dimensional map that will help direct traffic away from hazardous road conditions and accidents.
With more than 2 million people expected to flood into Washington this Tuesday, the software is a gift to the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia departments of transportation.
At the university's Center for Advanced Transportation Technology, several large flat-screen TVs are hooked up to what looks like your average PlayStation 3 joystick. Taking hold of the controls, you can fly around 3-D images of the Capitol grounds, Georgetown and virtually every other part of the city.
"Some of it is satellite photography; some of it is aerial photography," says CATT's director, Michael Pack. He points out, "It's the same type of images you would see on Google Earth."
The difference from above is what you see below. Models of cars and trucks bustle down Wisconsin Avenue, and on U.S. Route 50 near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway a car is off the road owing to a traffic accident. A few moments later, cars start to slow as rain and sleet falls from the sky. "All of this occurs in real time, hence the fourth dimension," says Pack.
Messages in the shape of road signs appear in the simulated sky, pointing out information to traffic controllers. One says "Roadwork" and another ominous, red message simply displays an exclamation mark.
The model doesn't uncover any new information. "This is a way for emergency management officials to quickly comprehend what's going on in a wide area," Pack says. He says on a typical day the District Department of Transportation receives a list of 70 to 80 traffic problems regarding the roadways. "Typically they come in the form of a text message or e-mail," says Pack. He goes on to warn that, "if you forget something, the consequences of not knowing what's going on could be pretty bad."
Pack says this is the first time the four-dimensional model has been tested on such a large scale. And his crew has been working around the clock to prevent any snags. One traffic accident, he says, could mean thousands of motorists being diverted.
Currently, the 4-D imaging software is exclusively for government use and a version for the public is not available.
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REBECCA ROBERTS, Host:
The crowds are already starting to pour in to Washington, but the big question for traffic planners is: How do you get a million-plus inaugural visitors out? The secret weapon: something called four-dimensional imaging. This is Science Out of the Box.
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ROBERTS: I'm on the road headed towards the University of Maryland, where researchers have developed what they call a four-dimensional map. It shows how road accidents, bad weather, stupid drivers, and even a million or so extra tourists affect city traffic. The transportation departments of D.C., Virginia and Maryland are going to use the technology for the first time this week, which is a little bit like testing your parachute in midair.
Traffic on Route 50 slowed me down, and I was late getting to UMD, but the university's Michael Pack already knew that before I walked through the door.
Mr. MICHAEL PACK (Director, Center for Advanced Transportation Technology, University of Maryland School of Engineering): We actually saw there was a vehicle fire along your route. It might have been a little past where you were getting off, but the traffic congestion may have backed up.
ROBERTS: Pack is the director of the university's Center for Advanced Transportation Technology. In the labs, students sit around computer screens of various sizes. The biggest screen is attached to a video-game joystick. Pack takes the controls and calls up a virtual world of cars buzzing past D.C. monuments.
Mr. PACK: Some of it's satellite photography, some of it's aerial photography. It's the same type of images that you might see on something like Google Earth.
ROBERTS: But on this image, when the weather changes, rain and snow starts to fall. And when the traffic bogs down, large street signs pop up into the virtual sky. They say things like traffic hazard, construction, and one ominous sign just displays an exclamation mark. It all happens in real time, hence, the fourth dimension.
Mr. PACK: This is a way to help the emergency management officials comprehend quickly what's going on throughout a wide area. Normally, these emergency management officials might have a - on just, on a normal day, a list of 70 or 80 accidents or traffic problems that they're having to monitor through e-mails, paging alerts, and if you forget something, the consequences of not being fully aware of what's going on could be pretty bad.
ROBERTS: Tuesday will be anything but normal, and one accident could mean a lot of diverted traffic. And Michael Pack says this is the first time his 4-D map has been tested.
Mr. PACK: This program is really brand new. This is the first time this visualization is ever going to be used by anyone operationally, so it's exciting. The students are excited. I'm excited about it. They've been in here working around the clock to try to get things ready.
ROBERTS: It's a little bit like having your first football game be the Super Bowl, you know?
Mr. PACK: (Soundbite of laughter) That's a really good analogy. I have to go in the locker room and throw up now.
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ROBERTS: Seeing the 4-D map is a lot cooler than just talking about it. There's video of the display at npr.org. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.
