1VR Simulation for Sustainable Transportation Planning:
Public Participation in Sakai City’s LRT Design
T. H. Lorentzen 1, T. Fukuda2, Y. Kobayashi3, Y. Ito1
1FORUM8 Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
2
Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan3
School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA

Abstract—This paper describes the components of a virtual
reality (VR) system and its application to an urban renewal andLRT implementation project in Sakai City, Japan. The system
consists of a real-time simulation software program forvisualizing transportation environments, and several output
methods for presentation and collaboration. Plans to reorganize
urban space around the proposed LRT line are still indevelopment, and the creation of a visual model allows the public
to be informed and express their ideas. The implementation ofthis virtual reality simulation serves as a case study forparticipatory transportation planning where citizens are involvedin early design phases and apply their local knowledge to projectdecisions.
Index Terms—virtual reality, VR, transportation visualization,
public involvement, participatory design, transportationsimulation, sustainable planning, light rail transit, LRTI. INTRODUCTION
A. Visualization and Collaborative Planning
The process of public transportation design often requires are-working of various factors from city arteries to citizens’
daily routines. Especially when an overhaul of old travel
behavior seems likely, public agreement over new plans isessential. However, local governments’ concerns with building
public support for new transportation projects differ amongst
cultural and legal environments. If public involvement is calledfor, it is oftentimes during later stages when plans are nearlydecided. Ideally, if citizens are engaged in earlier phases,
planning time can be reduced if stakeholders are less resistantthroughout the approval process.
Invitations for public involvement in planning stem not only
from a need to gain approval, but also from the recognition thattransportation users can have particular skills that are different
from those of designers, or transportation engineers [1]. As
found by Corburn, community knowledge can provide “crucial
political and technical insights often overlooked byprofessionals” [2].
In order for the public to effectively join a planning
conversation, plan details must be translated for a
non-technical audience, and visualization is often employed.
2D renderings can be used during approval meetings to provide
a glance at different options. 3D visualizations provide more
information and can make it easier to understand spatialrelationships. Furthermore, as seen in this case, virtual reality
can also be an effective tool for sharing transportation plans.
VR simulations enable both environmental constraints andtraffic or pedestrian movement to be evaluated together in thesame space.
A primary hindrance to the use of VR simulation forplanning is that visualization is not often considered necessary
at the start of planning projects. As a result, visuals become
extra expenses that usually have no set budget [3]. Oftentimes,
simulations are not put to use until the end of the design process,and sometimes only once public concerns have already arisen.
In order to allow citizens to bring their local knowledge toassist design, visualization technology should be implemented
in initial phases, and participation should be structured into theplanning process [4].
Here we will take a closer look at Sakai City’s VR model andplanning process where a reorganization of existingtransportation routes has been created virtually and is sharedwith the public for approval and advice. This paper explores
both the process of VR visualization creation, and its use as aplatform for participatory design.
II. SAKAI CITY AND A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PROPOSAL
A. Sakai City Background
With a population of over 800,000, Sakai City is the largest
suburb of Osaka, and the fourteenth-largest city in Japan. The
population density is about 5,570 /km2 and it is known as anindustrious city with a large port. As with most of Japan, it isexperiencing population ageing. Chronic urban traffic
congestion problems persist. Sakai City also produces 40% ofJapan’s bicycle parts.
B. LRT and Urban Renewal Plans
Sakai City’s current traffic problems coupled with a growing
concern for sustainability issues have encouraged the city
government to design a transport system that does not rely soheavily on automobiles. The comprehensive city renewal plan
includes a reallocation of road space for pedestrian paths,bicycle and bus routes and train lines. A new LRT is plannedfor construction in 2011-12, and is part of a larger scheme torebuild Sakai City so that it can stand as a model for urban
sustainability. CO2 emissions are expected peak in 2012, andthe planning agency has prepared a timeline of goals to receive

2
a 70% reduction in energy use by 2050. Plans include solar
panels and green roofs; official city cars will all be “eco-cars”[5].
The LRT system fits smartly into this model of CO2
reduction: with grass on either side and between its tracks, itliterally creates a green belt running through the city. The newline will be 6.92 km long but will also be combined with aconverted regular rail line which will add 7.9 km to the total
LRT distance [5]. The system will be promoted by“environmental” discounted tickets [5]. As Sakai City is amajor site of bike manufacturing, the LRT transportation plans
will also be implemented with a focus on bike transit. This not
only includes establishing an extensive network of cycle routes
throughout the city, but also creating a public bike lending
system where users can use free city bikes.
As the plans will have a notable effect on citizens’ everyday
travel patterns and mobility, proposals have been met withresistance. Particularly as this project goes without similar
examples in other Japanese cities, it is difficult for citizens toimagine the changes. As such, the Sakai City government isattaching importance to public participation in the project, andthe result is a virtual reality simulation model that is sharedwith citizens, even in the project’s incipient phases.

the controversial locations. In crowded places, such as near thestation, 2D human images are added to depict crowds ofcommuters. Textures can be applied to any model or surface. Inorder to mimic the area’s environment, sun position can be set
to the minute, and shadows are accurately reproduced.

Fig. 1: Plan view interface screenshot - includes road alignments,terrain, satellite imagery and model placement. [7].

III. METHODS
A. Software Configuration
A virtual reality simulation system is used for visualizing theinteraction between urban space, transportation agents, andhuman traffic. Visualizations are created and presented withina real-time simulation software program called UC-win/Road[6]. This platform combines 3D models of the built
environment, simulated vehicle dynamics and traffic flows,
terrain information, and even weather effects. The virtual spacecan be navigated in real-time and users can understand what it
will be like to take a drivers’ perspective down a road at any
chosen speed.

Fig. 2: 3D interface screenshot – overview of building models [7].

B. Terrain and Road definition
Design of a virtual Sakai City began with orienting theproject and inputting road alignments. As seen in Fig. 1,
ortho-imagery was projected onto the terrain model to create
landscape markers. Road and track section attributes areattached to particular distances along the road alignments, andthese elements are photo-textured to look like grass orpavement. Horizontal alignments and IP points for roads are
input in 2D (plan view) (Fig.1), but as the model is edited, users
alternate back and forth between 2D and 3D interfaces (Fig.2).
C. Model and Texture Input
With the addition of models and textures, the VR spacebecomes more realistic. For this project, some models aredownloaded from the program database, and many are createdin .3ds format from images of Sakai city (Fig. 3). As seen in Fig.
2, a large number of building models are imported and manyremain un-textured in order to optimize performance and use
less texture memory. The most visually detailed areas represent

Fig. 3: Building and satellite textures, human and foliage models [7].

D. Traffic and Movement Simulation
Once the static models and textures are applied,environmental, traffic, and human movement can be added. As
seen in Fig. 4, traffic profiles are customized with aproportioned selection of vehicle models, and in this case, theblue LRT train. Traffic settings are established so that cars stop

3in accordance with signals, and abide by driving rules specificto Japan. Intersections are individually edited to incorporateroad leg lengths, markings, drive paths, stopping points, andsignal phases.
Human and animal moving models can be set to“flightpaths” and travel through the VR space. Motion-capture
animations can be set to MD3 characters to allow them to movethrough the city space.

homes bordering the LRT line, space between roadways andwalkways, and bike parking near the station [8] (Figs. 5 and 6).
C. Planning Applications
An outstanding feature of this VR model is the extent towhich it has been edited in order to relay the latest information
to citizens. Beyond just a discussion of physical infrastructurechanges, “planning” in this case has been research-intensive
and includes a focus on process and involvement. University
students have conducted surveys on both the public’s opinion of
the project, and their feelings on the VR model itself. For
example, Kawano at Utsunomiya University studied theamount of information (about the LRT) that subjects retained
from the visualization. Subjects were first shown an image,followed by a written statement, followed by a simulation, andfinally finished with a simulation that included sound [9]. Here
we see not only concern for the LRT design as an end in itself,
but also for the model to be used as a platform forexperimenting with VR applications, and transferring
technical knowledge to a public audience.

Fig.4: LRT, traffic and intersection drive paths editing window [7].

IV. MODEL IMPLEMENTATION
A. VR Model Presentation“Before” and “after” scenes are created to depict the city
development in different stages, and scenarios can combine aseries of events, scenes and environmental effects. In addition,
scenario creation allows users to take a driver’s perspective andtravel along a certain route where events respond to driving
behaviors. When used in combination with a steering controller
or drive simulator, users can interact directly with the VR
scenarios.
In order to present the VR data in venues where the softwareis unavailable, video as well as image and sound output arepossible. Videos are created within the program’s interface,allowing modelers to create a script and record a series ofmoving scenes or saved camera still shots. These can be easily
posted online and frequently updated.
During recent town meetings, the VR model has been run ona laptop computer, and projected onto a screen. Videos werealso used together with maps and other relevant diagrams.
These images can be saved as textures within the VR space andhave been displayed in a slideshow format at town meetings.
B. Public Involvement
Initially, in the case of Sakai City, the VR model was usedprimarily to convince citizens that construction of an LRT line
was a good idea. However, as planning has progressed, themodel has served as an editable 3D space upon which thepublic can project their concerns and ideas during town
meetings. Alternatives can be edited and presented in the visualmodel and several recent changes to the plans have come about
as a result of citizen questions. Issues that have been raised andredesigned include truck delivery and ambulance access toFig. 5: Close up of rail stops [7].

Fig. 6: Public gathering space near the station [7].

4V.

CONCLUSIONSAs new technologies and planning initiatives areimplemented, so do innovative visualization platforms become
necessary for evaluating the impacts of policy choices onpatterns of growth and quality of life. This case study serves as
a positive example of using VR simulations to involve
non-engineers in early phases of an intricate project. Viewing
the plans from a non-engineering perspective, the Sakai City
citizens have used their local knowledge to help double-checkpotential problems.
As the Sakai City LRT project design is still being negotiated,
it is early to evaluate an informed and vocal public interactingwith a conscientious government will ultimately affect project
goals or shape the outcome of the LRT design. Yet, midway
through the process, some influences of participatory design
are visible in small edits to the plan. In this case, the VR system
is not solely a visual pacifier to sway dissent over physicalplans; it makes the plans intelligible enough to enable citizens
to help improve the design itself.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank the Sakai City Government for theirkind cooperation. Thank you also to T. Kawaguchi, A.
Maruhashi, Y. Nishimura, H. Izumi, and S. Fujimura at Osaka
University’s Graduate School of Engineering, and FORUM8’s
Road Support Group for their assistance.
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