Capitol Expressway at Swift Avenue 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 of public and local governmental stakeholders. Photo-simulation was the obvious medium for accurate and convincing presentations. The Capitol Expressway project included a public art program which was responsible for pier, wall and abutment treatment. These treatments were limited to custom textured concrete. The viaduct crosses to the side of Capitol Expressway before crossing Swift Avenue using large straddle bents. The face of the bent cap offered a larger and more visible than typical area for art.

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.

Photosimulations | Mouse-over images below to toggle: E 1		1. Photosimulation of Proposed LRT Viaduct: LRT viaduct crossing southbound Capitol Expressway on straddle bents featuring the public art concept for the bent cap and columns.

The Engineer provided a photograph that would give the best view of the straddle bent and the artwork on the bent cap. Capitol Expressway needed minor shifts in the laneage from the existing configuration to make room in the median for the LRT viaduct pier columns and other modifications to match the design plans. POITRA artists performed this work using traditional digital painting techniques. We worked directly with the selected community artist to make sure the the simulation truly reflected his intentions” M.P., POITRA Visual Visual Simulations Project Manager POITRA modelers then constructed an accurate 3D viaduct model which included the two straddle bents and standard piers to a very high level of detail. The model also included markers for the proposed landscaping elements. Special pedestrian scale light fixtures along the new bikepath were drawn from POITRA model libraries. POITRA was able to call upon its principal's previous career experience in bridge and highway design to complete the technical elements of the project. The 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 and the specified project . The finished simulations were used in meetings with VTA Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project stakeholders. « BACK

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