U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VR EXPERIENCE

Replicating a River Experience in VR 

Building an immersive, 360° portable educational platform

We believe that collaboration is key to success. Prior to any project kick-off, we immerse ourselves into our client's background and community by learning their history, audience, and goals. This was an especially useful practice when working with The Department of Transportation (DoT) on their WSDOT: Elwha River Bridge project.

The FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) – an agency within the US Department of Transportation – has regionalized departments within its purview. For this project, VIVA was working with WSDOT – the Washington State Department of Transportation – to highlight replacement work it was doing on the Elwha River Bridge. Through conversations, it was determined that a VR project would be a perfect fit; a virtual bridge between the community and the project.

The objectives of this project were clear. VIVA worked with WSDOT to inspire the design and building of safe, resilient, and ecologically sensitive transportation infrastructure in riverine environments. However, this also needed to be engaging towards its audience in a visually engaging and intuitive experience.

FHWA wanted VIVA to design an immersive, 360-degree, portable educational platform that allowed people to explore river processes, their effects, and how properly executed infrastructure harmonizes with them. To accomplish this, the Elwha River Dam removals on the US 101 Bridge was the model for the VR educational experience. The journey took its viewers around, beneath, and above the bridge, as well as its surrounding environment to teach about its engineering and stream dynamics. Keeping the education entertaining, VIVA also included special areas of interest and unique features for users to discover during their journey.

Outcome

• VIVA's specialized team of videographers, developers, artists, and directors are experts in VR. Equally important, they are all passionate storytellers required to help blend the real world into the virtual. Working with the FWHA, a groundbreaking VR educational platform was created to showcase safe, environmentally sound and effective infrastructure-building techniques.
• Through LiDAR scans, precise 3D models of the entire area were captured and recreated to allow viewers to explore and learn.
• Photogrammetry, 360 -degree videos, and other assets were utilized to make the experience even more detailed and engaging.
• Stunning details in areas of interest, such as sediment and vegetation, were captured to hold the attention of the viewer. Models were optimized to run at a higher frame rate to ensure a smooth experience.
• Federal, State, and local transportation agency professionals were trained on the importance and practical application of stream dynamics for transportation projects.
• Audiences were engaged through a visually appealing and intuitive training experience.
• The in-person site visit experience was replicated via cutting-edge technology.
• Interest and excitement in natural sciences and engineering at all levels of education were increased.