Unified Theory, Inc. (UTI) is a Full Service Consulting and Engineering firm. UTI specializes in design of Industrial and Institutional Facilities, along with Process Design.

We see ourselves as a focused and flexible company with rapidly deployable resources with the use of such case tools as AutoTURN.

One of the approaches of UTI is to foster teamwork and collaboration through effective communication in the midst of change. I, as the Civil Engineer and Process Safety Manager, find that communicating traffic flow designs to clients can be challenging. Most clients have their own ideas about traffic flow, street and highway design, and parking configurations. Often projects need approval from public officials, city engineers, and other design professionals who all have their own ideas to add to the mix. To complicate matters even more, projects that impact traffic flow patterns are often open to public review and comment prior to approval by city governments. Unfortunately with so many parties involved in the project approval process, the consulting engineer is often bombarded with ideas and recommendations that only serve to slow the progress and approval for the project.

After considering a number of options, UTI chose AutoTURN to use as one way to streamline communication. Using this Transoft Solutions vehicle swept path analysis software, in conjunction with AutoCAD; I can explain all of the details of the design visually and dynamically.

An engineer has to consider the project design for tight spaces, close property lines and building modifications that required unique solutions to allow traffic to maneuver in and out easily—such as loading docks that are accessed through narrow alleys by delivery trucks and tractor-trailers; or loading docks that have tight access in order to use limited land and paved areas efficiently

In this instance, I was given a $22 million proposed design that would limit the amount of space and paved area used for truck traffic as well as personnel parking. While trying to make the design work, it became obvious to me that the radii and space were inappropriate. Communicating this problem verbally, to the parties that developed the proposed design, was unsuccessful, requiring a more graphic way to communicate the problem.  

I needed to show that each instance where space was limited or not available, that the trucks ran over the curbs, and outside the proposed paving area. We also needed to demonstrate the hazard of having to swing into opposing traffic when leaving the facility.

Using this tool the CAD operator could select a vehicle size and weight that appears graphically on the screen. The operator then maneuvered the vehicle through the design with the mouse. As the vehicle moved through the design, it left “tracks in the snow” showing where the wheels had been.  

As a result, utilizing AutoTURN drawings, the parties that developed the proposed design, were able to see the problems laid out for them. They acquiesced and the engineering design was finalized as I suggested. We have successfully demonstrated design validity using AutoTURN on more than a dozen recent projects. Clients have consistently commented that they can understand our design solutions quickly and they have approved designs in shorter time frames than in the past.

UTI has seen additional benefits by using AutoTURN. Because it helps clients understand the design solutions so easily, project delays have been reduced and there have been fewer re-design requests from clients. We have also increased our company’s productivity. Since we can communicate our design solutions so effectively with AutoTurn, we can move from concept to completion much faster. SLDT