| CTA
Rail Infrastructure System: DVD, Internet, & PDF
Project Started: June 2000
Project Completed September 2002
The CTA Rail Infrastructure System is a representation of the
Chicago rapid transit system infrastructure using linked digital
video, panoramic photos, aerial photographs, and track and route
maps. The system consists of QuickTime™ movies of the "L"
right-of-way, as viewed from the motorcab of a rapid transit train,
split into station-to-station segments. Also included in the system
are 360-degree panoramic views of several key stations, aerial
photos, and track maps of every rail yard.
The user navigates through the system using by clicking on the
feature of interest moving from the general (for example, a complete
line) to the specific (for example, a view of the entry point
to a station).
The bulk of the system consists of station-to-station videos
for all parts of the 226 mile system that the user can navigate
through at will. The video is time-lapsed and plays at a pre-determined
rate when activated, but can be slowed, stopped, or moved forward
or backward frame-by-frame as well.
Interactive panoramas are also part of the system. Each station
environment typically consists of an overview aerial map of the
location, with icons showing the locations with 360 degree panoramic
photos. Once an icon is clicked on, the user is transported to
that location and is "standing" in that spot. The user
can zoom in and zoom out from any image and navigate around an
environment by using the navigation tools in the QuickTime VR
software (not included, but available free from Apple). Multi-colored
icons in the environment show other locations in the environment
with panoramic photos adjacent to where the user is and by clicking
on one of these icons the user "moves" to that new locale
within the station facility.
Recognizing that different users have access to different media
we have developed the system for three different media. The initial
development focused on the development of portable document files
(pdf) to ensure device independence and easy access with the need
to purchase specialized software. The system can be run from any
portable computer with Adobe Acrobat that can be downloaded for
free.
GCUDV also developed a version for using hypertext markup language
(html) that can be accessed over the Internet. This requires an
Internet browser to view the software. The system in this format
can reside on a server and be operated using the Internet or an
Intranet.
Finally, we have a digital video (DVD) version of the software.
This version requires specialized hardware, namely a DVD player
and has limited navigation capabilities. Because of the limitations
of DVD technology, this version does not currently include the
panoramic environments.
There is often a need to visualize the built environment at various
locations throughout this system by both CTA personnel and contractors
associated with CTA's various capital improvement projects. The
Rail Infrastructure Multimedia System facilitates this visualization.
Generally speaking, visualization presents the following:
• opportunity to share and understand transportation information
• aids interpretation of technical or visual/aesthetic
information about transit systems
• provides an easy to use and understand interface
• integrates a variety of representations
This multimedia representation of the CTA system is designed
for different types of users to use for different purposes. For
CTA personnel, this system allows the user to view the current
environment surrounding the "L" right-of-way, understand
the general look, feel, and design of these rights-of-way, and
to view of area surrounding each station. For non-CTA personnel
and those not familiar with the CTA rail system, the above uses
also apply. But, these individuals can also get a good overview
of what using the "L" and being on the CTA rapid transit
system is like. The CTA Rail Infrastructure System can thus act
not only as a decision-making assistant, but also as a primer
for newcomers to the CTA "L" system.
For further information, please contact Prof. Sue McNeil at mcneil@uic.edu
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