IIT techies show the way: 3-D simulation to clear glitches in infrastructure projects

When reams of paper and millions of data figures proved inadequate in explaining the idea of driving along the central verge to an average bus driver used to zigzagging through the Capital8217;s roads.

When reams of paper and millions of data figures proved inadequate in explaining the idea of driving along the central verge to an average bus driver used to zigzagging through the Capital8217;s roads, the authorities in charge decided to get visual simulation for the Bus Rapid Transit BRT corridor to train drivers on manoeuvring a bus towards the central verge without causing damage to other vehicles. For this was required not any average 3-D animation model, but a simulation of the 6.8 km-long corridor between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand, which meant creating an environment where a bus driver feels like sitting in a bus and manning an object similar to the steering wheel of a bus through the virtual BRT corridor.

In came Shantanu Sharma 27 and Rajiv Dinesh 25, whose company Medulla Soft happens to be the only firm in the country which works on creating 3-D visual simulation for infrastructure projects in the country.

8220;We collected data on movement of traffic, number of vehicles, cycles and pedestrians using the corridor at different times of the day and collated data of our own for about 15 days. We then created a simulation of the corridor with features in real-time,8221; says Sharma.

8220;The drivers get to drive through the virtual corridor in an environment which is similar to the 8216;real8217; corridor at a particular time,8221; adds Dinesh who co-founded the firm with Sharma and mentor Anil Virmani, an IIT 1966 batch passout , three years ago.

While the firm is yet to find its footing in Delhi, the duo are working on pilot projects for a multi-level parking lot to be constructed by DMRC and traffic plans for the New Delhi Railway Station The firm has also made an impact abroad, already bagging projects in Hiroshima, LA and Paris.

8220;In Hiroshima we are working on creating a simulation for a flyover which has an accident-prone patch. The authorities are trying to pin-point the problem, which could lie in the alignment or the traffic movement. The simulation will help them in recognising the problem,8221; says Sharma, agreeing that India is yet to wake up to the benefits of creating simulations while designing infrastructure projects.

8220;A simulation provides a feel of the situation in real-time, which helps figure out mistakes and improvise while implementing a project design,8221; says Dinesh, who gave up a job with an MNC for a venture of his own after college.

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8220;We chanced upon the idea three years ago during a technology fair, when we were trying to start a real estate portal. Simulation is big business abroad and we never knew about it,8221; says Sharma, who had earlier dabbled with the idea of starting a BPO of his own. The new idea, though, hit the right chord and both Sharma and Dinesh visited Japan for an intensive training schedule.

8220;Our simulations have helped designers to clear glitches in projects like the BRT corridor and the Taj Expressway. It is surprising that we are yet to wake up to the concept. Infrastructure development is growing in India and we need to realise that there is more to it than just drawing designs and laying bricks,8221; Sharma says.