Visual analytics tools allow their users to determine status; causal chain analysis; undertake hypothesis testing and detect anomalies and correlations allowing interventions to amplify or prevent effects. The OCAD U Visual Analytics team addressed these challenges by exploring common tool sets and using different data sets and variables within integrated visualization approaches, to support iCity users. Key project initiatives included:
1. Supporting the iCity Traffic and Transit groups in transportation route analytics and service provider adjustments to allow users to make the better decisions using available data and effective interface design.
2. Rationalizing the conversation about Complete Streets by making explicit the assumptions and trade-offs that are implicit in the debate and coupling visualization and testing of alternative street configurations (qualitative and quantitative) for a complete street design tool.
3. Supporting Parking Management by developing a visual analytics tool that provides insight into parking user choices for planners, by-law enforcement staff and users.
4. Developing a high-quality 3D representation of Toronto Waterfront using Esri's CityEngine software to create a visual analytics testbed for use within the broader iCity project.
