Innovative Visualization of Geospatial Data for Transportation Engineering
Applications
K. Harrison and L. Hayden
Elizabeth City State University, 2595 James Bunn Rd, Nashville, NC 27856 USA
Abstract--Due to the increased number of fatal accidents caused
by overweight trucks on interstate highways, a series of truck
safety and weight enforcement facilities were developed by
Wisconsin Department of Transportation. These facilities were
designed to weigh and inspect trucks while they are in motion.
The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA)
funded a project through the Affiliated Research Center (ARC)
at university of Wisconsin-Madison to pilot innovation in
geospatial visualization technology for comparing possible sites
for a truck safety and weight enforcement facility. The optimal
site selection study was conducted along the I-90 corridor
between the Illinois/Wisconsin border and Madison, Wisconsin.
To accomplish this project EOS-Era Landsat-7 satellite data was
integrated and synthesized with digital elevation models (DEMs),
aerial photography, and other geospatial data to represent
current terrain and land cover. Application of innovative
Visualization technology enabled the presentation of spatial
information reflecting complex engineering, environmental,
transportation and design issues in ways that were clear and
understandable to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
and public stakeholders. Visualization of geospatial data
technology and “fly-through” simulation models will be
presented to demonstrate the alternative scenarios for selecting
an optimum site for the truck safety facility.
I. INTRODUCTION
The increase in the number of fatal accidents on US
interstate highways has led to a growing concern. One cause
of many fatal accidents is the increased number of overweight
trucks that pose a serious safety concern. While a passenger
car often weighs between 2000 and 4000 lbs., legally, a
commercial semi-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. Heavier
trucks are more likely to roll over, have longer braking
distances, and are harder to steer when turning and changing
lanes. In addition to the lack of safety, overweight trucks are
the primary cause for the deterioration of interstate highways.
In response to these problems, an advanced series of weigh-
in-motion and truck safety facilities are being developed.
These facilities are used to weigh and inspect vehicles while
in motion. The facilities include automated vehicle
identification, main line weigh-in-motion, and ramp weigh-in-
motion. A typical facility covers an area of about 30 acres.
As vehicles approach a truck safety facility, an automatic
vehicle identification and a mainline weigh-in-motion plate
determines the status of vehicles. If vehicles are cleared they
are allowed to continue on the interstate. These devices are
embedded in the highway about a half a mile before the
facility. There is a second embedded plate located within a 45
MPH pass through -ramp. This device inspects trucks to
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determine if they need to stop at a static scale. Cleared trucks
are allowed to continue down the ramp and return to the
interstate. Trucks that are not cleared are required to park for
further inspection. If a truck refuses to stop, an automated
vehicle identification (AVI) alerts the state patrol. These
facilities have proved to benefit both truckers and our nations
interstate highways. They save truckers time, fuel, and
eliminate on-site paperwork. They benefit highways by
regulating truck transportation.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and KL
Engineering worked together to develop a truck safety and
weight enforcement facility. This facility was located along
the 1-90 corridor between the Illinois/Wisconsin border and
Madison, Wisconsin.
The National Aeronautic and Space Administration
(NASA) funded a project through the Affiliated Research
Center (ARC) at university of Wisconsin-Madison to pilot
innovation in geospatial visualization technology for
comparing possible sites for a truck safety and weight
enforcement facility. This project provided an opportunity to
pilot integration remote sensing, geographic information
system (GIS), and visualization technologies to prototype a
transportation engineering application. Visualization is a
rapidly growing technology that offers a much wider range of
activities and services. Visualization uses a variety of
techniques to generate visual products for past, present, and
future situations.
Siting a weigh-in-motion station requires evaluating a
variety of data sources. These data sets include topography,
land cover, cadastral and municipal data as well as
transportation engineering derived facility information. The
critical issue of accuracy and the sensitivity of site selection
in relation to scale and resolution must carefully be analyzed.
Geospatial technology and visualization techniques were used
in this project to aid in determining the best location for the
truck safety and weight enforcement facility. Landsat-7 data
was combined with digital elevation models and aerial
photography to display land cover for the suspected area.
As the cost of developing transportation facilities increases,
the need for an effective and efficient way of analyzing and
developing them must also be faced. Historically,
departments of transportation have relied on surveying for
location information. These traditional methods are not only
time consuming but are costly and at times lack accuracy. By
using remote sensing and other global positioning practices, it
has been proven that departments of transportation have been
able to save money, time and increase accuracy.
 The major advantage of using remote sensing has been the
effectiveness to save money. This advantage can be linked to
the decreased amount of personnel cost and field trips
needed. Reduced project completion time is also an
advantage. Satellite data can be viewed and analyzed
regardless of the weather. Vector overlays can be created to
display areas such as marshes and wetlands. This allows
developers to see what areas need to be avoided before
viewing the actual site.
II. METHODOLOGY
The first step to accomplish the project required creating
digital elevation models (DEM). A DEM is a three-
dimensional representation of the earth's terrain. The DEM
brings the image to life by displaying the elevation of areas. It
also allows viewers to distinguish areas that are flat and hilly
as well as area that may be rivers or lakes. Fig. 1.
demonstrates the importance of using a DEM opposed to not
using one. Apparently, the elevation can be distinguished in
the picture with the DEM. A map was analyzed to determine
the townships needed for creating the digital elevation model.
The DEM for each town was then downloaded from a USGS
web site and placed in a folder. Next, WinZip was used to
decompress each file. An in-house developed software,
SDTSDem2LAN, was then used to convert them into
unsigned-16 bytes. After these steps were taken the files were
ready to be imported into ERDAS ImagineTM.
When the files were imported a problem was observed.
While converting files they lost the correct coordinates
information. This information is important when overlaying
DEMs with Landsat data. To correct the problem a model
was created using the modeler function in ERDAS
ImagineTM. The modeler is used to create models using a
palette of tools. A model is a set of instructions processed by
ImagineTM to perform GIS and image processing operations.
The model created was designed to recalculate the statistics
information for the DEMs. Each DEM was then imported and
ran through the model.
Once all of the DEMs had been corrected they had to be
mosaicked together to form one image. Mosaicking is the
process of joining georeferenced images together to form one
image. To mosaic images, each image must contain the same
projection information. To mosaic images the data prep
function was used. The images were then added one by one to
the mosaicking process. After all images were added the
mosaic was ran and the twenty-four images were combined
into one image.
After the image was formed the holes in the DEM had to be
filled. These holes developed during the mosacking process
when images were overlapped. Filling images is imperative
to insure that the elevation of the DEM is correct. If the holes
were left unfilled the image would have areas with an
elevation of zero. Focal analysis was used to fill holes in the
DEM. The definition function used to fill the holes specified
that values of zeros be ignored when computing elevation and
that values of zeros be applied when filling the elevation. A
focal area of size 3x3 was used to calculate and replace
values of zero. After holes were filled the DEM was ready to
be overlaid with Landsat data. Landsat- 7satellite data offers
15 and 30 meter resolution. Once the image was developed
the fly-throughs were ready to be created. A sample set of
fly-throughs was then created for KL Engineering to view
and critique.
III. RESULTS
During the first initial meeting with KL Engineering, many
suggestions and observations were made on how things could
be changed or improved to make them more useful for their
purposes. While viewing multi-spectral images they observed
that true color composites were more beneficial. They also
noted that fly-throughs needed more detail and exaggeration.
A list of proposed fly-throughs was then developed based on
the comments and suggestions. Figure 1.2 represents the list
of proposed flythroughs.
By offering simulated flights over the interstate, these fly-
throughs will aid in determining the best locations for the
truck safety and weight enforcement facility. By viewing the
fly-through in different resolutions they will be useful in
determining what areas should be avoided.
TABLE 1
Proposed Fly-throughs
Fly- Raster Vector Flying DEM Flight
Through Overlay Overlay Height Detail Complexity
Level
1 30 m None High Low Low
Normal
Color

2 30 m None Mid High Low

Normal
Color

3 15 m Pan None High Low Low

4 15 m Pan Wetland, Mid High Low

Municipal
Align

5 15 m Pan Wetland, Mid High Low

Sharpened Municipal
Fig. 1. Landsat-7 image without a DEM (left) and Landsat-7 Align
draped over the DEM (right).

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The 30 meter data will aid in the first initial step in masking [6]. Lillesand, T.M. and Kiefer, R. W. 1994. “Remote sensing
out areas. For example, the 30 meter allows viewers an and image intepretation”. Third Edition, Wiley and Sons.
overall view of the project area. It will be beneficial in [7]. Nyman, L. (2000). The Geographic Information System.
eliminating areas around rivers, lakes, and other interstate http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/geo/gisfaq?Q2.1 [2000,
highways. Once these areas have been eliminated the 15 April 3]
meter data can be combined with vector overlays of marshes
and wetlands. This will help to eliminate areas that pose
environmental concerns. Once these areas have been
eliminated 1 meter aerial photos can be created of the
remaining sites. When combined with transportation
information the 1 meter aerial photos will be helpful in
eliminating sites that are close to communities and gas pipe
lines. It will also aid in determining 'back roads" that might
allow truckers to avoid going to the site. With the use of
remote sensing and visualization siting the best location will
be simplified.

IV. DISCUSSION
By combining remote sensing and GIS with visualization,
the door has been opened for future projects. Integrating these
applications together offers researchers a way of explaining
remote sensing problems and solutions to a general audience
in a form that is both understandable and amusing. Citizens
are allowed to take part in the decision-making process. This
will allow researchers and scientist to gain valuable
information and ideas from citizens. In order for society as a
whole to stay balanced, citizens must be educated on the new
technology that is being developed and how it may affect
them. Visualization offers a means of educating citizens on
current forms of technology.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank the Environmental Remote Sensing
Center, Affiliated Research Center, Ronald McNair Program,
Tim Olsen, Tom Lillesand, Jim Gage and all the students and
faculty in the Environmental Monitoring Department for their
time and support.

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