Technology Category
- Networks & Connectivity - Routers & Bridges
- Robots - Wheeled Robots
Applicable Industries
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Traffic Monitoring
- Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Services
- Testing & Certification
About The Customer
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is a government agency responsible for the construction and maintenance of Alabama's state transportation system. This includes highways, bridges, and public transportation. ALDOT's mission is to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound intermodal transportation system for all users, especially the taxpayers of Alabama. For the Mobile River Bridge project, ALDOT needed to propose a solution to alleviate the heavy congestion on the I-10 highway, particularly in Mobile, Alabama. The proposed solution was a six-lane cable-stayed bridge, which would replace the George C. Wallace Tunnel and provide a more direct route for HAZMAT vehicles. The project required approval and buy-in from various stakeholders, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), environmental agencies, local government and businesses, and the community.
The Challenge
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) faced a significant challenge with the Interstate 10 (I-10) highway, particularly in Mobile, Alabama. The George C. Wallace Tunnel, constructed in 1973 to accommodate 36,000 vehicles per day, was experiencing heavy congestion due to increased traffic volumes, averaging 73,000 vehicles daily and peaking at 100,000 during the tourist season. The tunnel's design, which reduces four lanes to two and includes a hairpin turn that slows traffic to 25 miles per hour, was causing bottlenecks. Additionally, vehicles transporting hazardous materials (HAZMAT) were restricted from using the tunnel, resulting in an hour-long detour. To alleviate these issues, ALDOT proposed a bridge and bayway widening project. The proposed infrastructure design was a six-lane cable-stayed bridge, spanning approximately 2.75 miles with 215 feet of air draft clearance across the Mobile River. The USD 850 million project required approval and buy-in from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), environmental agencies, local government and businesses, and the community.
The Solution
To communicate the project's potential and achieve crucial buy-in, ALDOT turned to reality modeling and visualization technology. They collected GIS data and over 600 perspective images using aerial LiDAR and helicopters flown over the full 10 square miles of the project site. The team used Bentley's design and visualization technology, along with other third-party applications, to incorporate the mapped imagery into a 3D virtual model of the existing city skyline, corridor, and Battleship National Park. They created a 3D conceptual model of the entire proposed project with realistic renderings and animations of the driving experience, as well as a 360-degree flyover to provide context from all angles around the city. With Bentley LumenRT, ALDOT created an immersive LiveCube that was especially useful for public communication and understanding, allowing community members to view the model from any virtual perspective. The software enabled the team to quickly generate the presentation and communicate in real time several feasible alternatives to address environmental issues, meet stakeholder requirements, and alleviate public concerns.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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