* For example, POITRA created and maintained the public information websites for the Southeast Corridor MIS (TREX), the North Metro Major Investment Study (MIS) and the US36 Corridor MIS beginning in 1998. The North Metro Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is part of the Regional Transportation District's (RTD) new FasTracks Project, which is advancing several corridors to the design phase.

North Metro Mainline at Sandpiper Circle Photosimulations RTD FasTracks, Thornton, Colorado The North Metro Corridor is one of several proposed transit corridors in the Denver Regional Transportation District's (RTD) FasTracks program that have been evaluated throughout the Metro area as Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). Most of the corridors originate in downtown Denver's Union Terminal (DUT) and radiate out to the suburbs. POITRA has provided several types of services on nearly all of these corridors at some point in their long histories.* The North Metro Corridor takes advantage of abandoned or little used frieght rail corridors that served Denver's northern suburbs. Because of the length of the line and possible interaction with commercial freight rail a heavy commuter rail concept was proposed. Both Electric Multiple Units (EMU) and Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) were evaluated. Residential neighborhoods are always an important part of the NEPA study process. In the northern Denver metro suburbs many new neighborhoods have settled against the little used freight rail corridor. Impacts to these neighborhoods needed to be evaluated.

POITRA artists created custom 3D models of the DMU and EMU commuter vehicles. Potential RTD colors and marking combinations were developed uniquely for both by POITRA.

Photosimulations | Mouse-over images below to toggle: E 1 2 3 4		2. Photosimulation of Proposed Commuter Line: EMU Alternative featuring the vehicle and eight foot tall sound walls.

Photo-simulations proved to be the best medium for accurate evaluation and for confident presentation to public. This POITRA photographic survey view at Sand Piper Circle was representative of most new residential locations near the corridor. POITRA artists prepared the base photograph to recieve the elements of the proposed corridor using traditional digital painting techniques. Poitra Visual's illustrations of bridges, catenary systems, additional railroad track and sound walls reassured the public that this new transit service could be an attractive addition to their communities.” K.P., P.E. URS Corp North Metro Project Manager DMU and EMU vehicles have different environmental characteristics. EMU vehicles require additional hardware such as an overhead catenary system and a tall pentagraph mounted to the top of the vehicle which add to the visual concern. DMU vehicles are louder and the noise source is located higher on the vehicle, which translates to taller sound barriers when barriers are needed. This simulation needed to reflect all of these variations including images with and without the POITRA model transit vehicles to show how the momentary presence of the vehicles affects the potential view impact. Accurate 3D site models were built to include the rail corridor with the elements associated with each of the alternative commuter rail vehicle types. The models included the sound walls appropriate to each alternative and the appropriate POITRA model RTD commuter rail vehicle. The past sound wall design experience of POITRA principals helped to create plausable wall structures since the Engineer's conceptual design did not included that level of detail. The site models were then matched to the view perspective, appropriately lighted, rendered and composited with the base photograph to create a photo-realistic simulation of the proposed conditions at this location. A simulation was created for each of the four situations to be studied. The finished simulations were used in meetings with Fastracks public stakeholders, on the project website, in newsletters and in the EIS document. « BACK

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