Capitol Expressway BRT at Story Road Photosimulations VTA, Santa Clara County, California. The Capitol Expressway Light Rail Transit (LRT) line is an extension of the Santa Clara County Valley Transit Authority (VTA) rail transit network. The design called for a median running double tracked mainline that included two long viaducts, an elevated station, several grade level stations, a bus transfer station and a redesigned major arterial. POITRA was asked to prepare a series of visual simulations of the proposed LRT system for the public process. Photo-simulation was the obvious medium for accurate and convincing presentations. Following the completion of LRT system simulations POITRA was aked to revise some of the images to portray a proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that would constitute the first phase in the Capitol Expressway improvements. The BRT system would continue to operate after the LRT system was in place.

POITRA used its custom Kinkisharyo LRT model vehicle and created a new custom model of a Bus Rapid Transit vehicle. VTA color and marking schemes were applied to both. POITRA often creates custom transit vehicles at no cost to the project.

1. Aerial Photosimulation of Proposed Interm BRT Transit Line: Free side running BRT Interim configuration featuring the POITRA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Vehicle with regular automobile traffic.

Photosimulations 2 1 E Mouse-over images above to toggle between the existing photo and the photosimulation.

Existing VTA shelters, curb and gutter, sidewalks, driveways, signage, landscaping, fencing, street lights had to be reconfigured on the existing aerial photo of Story Road from the LRT simulation to match design modifications specific to the Interim BRT system. POITRA artists performed this work using traditional digital painting techniques. The POITRA modelers are capable of creating very accurate vehicle models. We are often able to create in model form the vehicle that a transit authority intends to acquire for its system, often at no cost to the project. ” M.P., POITRA Visual Visual Simulations Project Manager The photo simulation was topped off with new shelter models and POITRA VTA LRT vehicle models, patrons at stops and the proposed project landscaping. A second version of the BRT simulation was created to illustrate the final configuration of the BRT system after the constuction of the LRT system. The new simulation borrowed components from the original LRT simulations and involved further modification to sidewalks, curb and gutters to accomodate the final BRT design. The finished simulations were used in meetings with VTA Capitol Expressway BRT Project stakeholders. « BACK

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