RAPID - 3D Prototyping

RAPID is a tool for Rapid Prototyping in 3D to support the development of infrastructure changes, such as new cycle lanes, changed pedestrian flows, or potentially any changes to the built environment. The RAPID hypothesis is that early prototyping will produce more effective schemes, which are more acceptable to users / citizens and involve less costly re-work and problems to be fixed later. Changes to the built environment typically take a long time.

RAPID focuses upon the very early part of this design process:

•  To provide a tool that can quickly create a 3D model for a spatial area of interest
•  Allow different designs & options to be viewed quickly by City Planners and others
•  Where time permits the RAPID model could feed into more detailed processes and CAD models.

The RAPID process is:

Step 1 – the spatial area of interest:

•  Gather existing data for the spatial area of interest –CAD models, etc

Step 2 – RAPID 3D models:

•  The As-is 3D model is built
•  To-Be options for change are modelled
•  The model is enriched using real-time data sources (e.g. weather, day/night) and more

Step 3 – explore behaviour:

•  AI avatars are placed into the models
•  This can include pedestrians, cyclists, cars, etc
•  Behaviour of avatars in the As-Is and To-Be options can be explored e.g. to identify pinch points etc

Step 4 – interact and engage:

•  The RAPID 3D models may support workshops with decision-makers
•  The RAPID 3D models may support consultation and engagement sessions with citizens and others.

•  These sessions can be delivered virtually