Visualization and Animation in Design of a New Transportation System in Existing Urban Environment Using GIS and Virtual Reality

Author: Jonas Tornberg
Organization: Chalmers University of Technology

SE-412 96
Goteborg, NC 27560
Sweden

Phone: 46-31-772-24-33
jonas@arch.chalmers.se

A virtual city was built to visualize how an aerial cableway may solve an increasing demand for public transportation in the city of Göteborg (Gothenburg). This model was made at Chalmers University of Technology, school of Architecture and was
optimized for a 3D Cube environment. The 3D model was created using Arc/Info 7.2 including the Grid submodul,
ArcView GIS 3.1 and TerraVista 2.1 from Terrex Inc. (an Esri partner). The latter was used to generate the virtual reality model. The 3D Cube was used to present the scene in virtual reality, and makes it possible to take a tour with the virtual cableway.
It is believed that the integration of GIS and VR technology will become an indispensable tool for planners in the near future. A 3D Cube makes it possible to test and experience various planning alternatives, especially in an urban environment but also in other planning situations.

Keywords: GIS, Virtual Reality, VR, Aerial cableway, 3D-Cube, City 3D model