Capitol Expressway Eastridge Mall Station Photosimulations VTA, San Jose, 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 to address anticipated visual impact and design concerns for the public and local governmental stakeholders. Photo-simulation was the obvious medium for accurate and convincing presentations. An aerial view was chosen as the best way to communicate the design for the LRT and bus transfer station near the LRT terminus at Eastridge Mall. The LRT station was placed at grade with the bus station next to it in the Eastridge Mall parking lot. The LRT line transitioned from a median running alignment to a side running alignment at the mall to accomodate the bus transfer facility.

POITRA artists created a custom 3D model of the Kinkisaryo LRTvehicle with VTA colors and markings. POITRA often creates custom transit vehicles at no cost to the project.

1. Aerial Photosimulation of Proposed Transit Station: Eastridge Mall Station with bus tranfer facility featuring the Kinkisaryo Light Rail Transit Vehicle, platform, canopies and station amenities.

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

The Engineer provided the aerial photograph from their project aerial survey. The Capitol Expressway needed to reflect the redesign including lane adjustments, project landscaping and relocated PGE electrical towers. The mall parking and perimeter road also had to be reconfigured in the photograph to match the Engineer's design. POITRA artists performed this work using traditional digital painting techniques. With a bus station and and a light rail station delivering passengers in the simulation and the visibilty of the parking areas, a large amount of small detail was a given. ” M.P., POITRA Visual Visual Simulations Project Manager POITRA modelers constructed an accurate 3D site model with the LRT catenary system, track, station platform, canopies, railings and other architectural elements. The model was constructed to a very high level of detail. The site model was then camera matched, lighted, rendered and composited with the base photograph. The photo simulation was topped off with POITRA VTA LRT vehicle models, station patrons and additional project landscaping. Special effort was required to make sure that all of the elements of all of the various design diciplines, such as Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, Signing and Striping, Utilities, Lighting, Landscaping and an abundance of parking came together correctly as one in the final photo simulation. The finished simulations were used in meetings with VTA Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project stakeholders. « BACK

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