Augmented reality showcases transportation options

Transportation viewer
Bus shelter
One visualization looking north on Natural Bridges Drive.

The Visualizing Sustainable Transportation project from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission offers residents a chance to view potential transportation options through augmented reality.

The goal of the project is to provide a fun and immersive community experience.

Current sites include Soquel Drive at Chanticleer Avenue, near the Sutter Surgery Center, until Nov. 15; and Natural Bridges at the railroad crossing near the Wrigley Building, until Nov. 29.

The visualizations use on-site viewers to demonstrate transportation and land use options that:

  • Optimize use of existing streets through enhanced bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities to address congestion
  • Expand safe mobility options for all members of the community
  • Include options that decrease greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle miles traveled and help meet state pollution-reduction mandates
  • Provide walk-friendly, compact, mixed-use neighborhoods
  • Encourage options that decrease personal transportation expenses thereby increasing the amount of money that can be reinvested in the local economy
  • Reflect projects approved by voters in Measure D, projects in city and county plans and community priorities

Participants can provide feedback about the short and long term visualizations via a short survey on the viewer. Each visual will also be accessible through an app for smart phones, computers, or other devices. The app is available at www.sccrtc.org/vis.

For more information, please visit the project website at www.sccrtc.org/vis. People can sign up to get project updates by sending an email to info@sccrtc.org with “Vis” in the subject line.

The Sustainable Transportation Visualization for Santa Cruz County project was funded through a Caltrans Transit Planning for Sustainable Communities grant to help meet the state goal of expanded accessibility and multimodal options.