We have extensive experience selecting and developing visualizations, so we work with you to find fitting options for each project. For example, with visual impact assessments, we use modeling techniques that show the proposed project within the landscapes so stakeholders can see the plan within its visual context.
Bring Clarity to Engineering Data
Transforming data into visible insights.
Project visualization comes with challenges, from gathering high-quality data to processing it effectively. Those seeking to create infrastructure or facilities must overcome technical hurdles, such as software limitations. The final visualization must transparently display data in a way that makes sense to all stakeholders.
At TRC, we create precise, informative visual representations that support more efficient and effective project development.
Improve Project Decision-Making With Our Expertise
Having the power to see the impact of visual environmental changes before they’re made can help guide decision-making, assess and gain public support and address any unforeseen subjective issues that could arise. TRC offers a full range of computerized visualization solutions that provide qualitative and quantitative visual impact assessments.
Our practitioners have expertise in siting and permitting environmental, energy and infrastructure projects and a deep understanding of the unique challenges associated with subjective issues of potential change to the visual environment. Utilizing current technologies and industry standards, TRC can acquire recent LiDAR elevations or DEM and land use data or collect baseline digital photography and integrate it with a suite of 3-dimensional software and visualization tools to deliver realistic imagery, analysis and reports.
Computerized Visualization Solution
We support clients through the permitting process by providing publicly accessible visual resources relevant to the project development, showing realistic imagery and the impact of any proposed visual environmental change in clear and contextual ways.
TRC’s visualizations are tailored to meet the unique permitting requirements and policy guidelines of any project. Visual impact assessments are part of the National Environmental Policy Act and state and local legal requirements. We complete visualizations according to any applicable regulations.
We have offices nationwide to bring on-site support. Our visualization solutions give you the power to show the impact of a proposed environmental change, guide your permitting project to address any subjective issues and expedite its completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions regarding visualizations and the solutions we provide.
Visual impact assessments provide a clear picture of the proposed development and how it fits the existing landscape. Decision-makers employ this visual to evaluate aesthetic impacts and decide whether design modifications are needed.
Visualize Your Project’s Impact with TRC
TRC offers advanced computerized visualization services for environmental, energy and infrastructure projects. We provide both qualitative and quantitative visual impact assessments, allowing clients to anticipate and address potential visual changes before implementation. Contact TRC today to discuss how our visualization services can enhance your project’s success and streamline the approval process. Let’s transform your vision into reality – together.
Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
InsightsWhite Papers / Reports
Development and Types of Conceptual Site Models (CSMs)
March 15, 2025
There are vast resources, including publications and guidance documents on the topic of Conceptual Site Models (CSMs), and the term “CSM” can mean many different things to different people depending on their technical area of expertise and their expectation about the goal or purpose of the subject CSM
Insights
How to Reduce Risk in Control System Implementations
February 7, 2025
Control rooms serve as the nerve centers of utility operations, orchestrating the interplay of power generation, transmission and distribution. The “control room of the future” represents technology innovation and integration, combining advanced software systems, real-time data analytics and sophisticated visualization tools.
News
TRC Acquires Garanzuay Consulting, Amplifying TRC’s Energy Transition Consulting Services in Europe
September 26, 2024
Garanzuay Consulting provides a foundation in Ireland to continue TRC’s growth and expansion in Europe in support of the energy transition for all energy market participants.
Insights
Achieve Superior Asset Data Quality by Combining SAP with Lemur Mobile Mapping
September 23, 2024
Utilities struggle with asset data, which impacts every aspect of their business. Market priorities like grid modernization, decarbonization and increased energy demand only compound the problem of poor data quality.
Insights
Shifting to the Cloud: Debunking the Myths of Migrating Utility Data Off Premises
April 14, 2024
This blog delves into common misconceptions surrounding cloud migration in the utility industry, addressing concerns about security, reliability, regulatory compliance, cost effectiveness, and complexity, while highlighting the substantial benefits and strategies for successful adoption.
News
Locana Awarded Modern Network Management at Esri Infrastructure Management and GIS Conference
November 22, 2023
Locana, an international leader in spatial technology, received the Modern Network Management Award at the 2023 Esri Infrastructure Management and GIS (IMGIS) Conference held in Palm Springs, California, October 10-12, 2023.
White Papers / Reports
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) – How Smart Should A Smart Meter Be?
June 26, 2023
According to the Edison Foundation’s Institute for Electric Innovation, over 124 million smart meters were expected to be installed in 78 percent of US households by the end of 2022.
Insights
Modernize Your Field Services with GIS and Work Order Management Combined
June 15, 2023
The role of field service management continues to dominate the world economy, as the market grows at an exponential rate. The market was estimated at 3.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach 5.7 billion by the end of 2026.
Insights
Harness the Power of Geospatial Data to Unlock Big Data Insights
March 16, 2023
For years, companies have been harnessing big data to glean insights that improve decision-making of every kind and at all levels, from entering new markets to building better products to delivering better services and experiences.
News
TRC and Greenbird Partner to Accelerate Grid Modernization for Utilities
January 31, 2023
Today TRC Companies (“TRC”) announced a go-to-market partnership with Greenbird Integration Technology, a leading integration technology provider based in Norway. Greenbird’s Utilihive platform enables utilities to accelerate their digital transformation and grid modernization efforts.
News
Brookings Municipal Utilities Streamlines Processes, Boosts Efficiency with Modern GIS
June 14, 2022
Locana, a global leader in technology consulting and geospatial systems development, announced Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU) successful deployment of a modern geospatial enterprise leveraging Locana services.
News
Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District Drives Reliable Operations with Locana Lemur Mobile GIS Solution
June 8, 2022
Locana, a global leader in technology consulting and geospatial systems development, today announced the successful deployment of its LemurSM Solution by Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.).
News
Locana Awarded Wildlife Habitat Analysis Task Order For The Bureau Of Land Management
April 27, 2022
Locana, a leading geographic data and technology company, has won a 10-year National Geospatial Data and Technology Support Services contract for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
News
TRC Selected as Systems Integrator for Otter Tail Power Company’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure Program
April 5, 2022
Otter Tail Power Company selects TRC to serve as systems integrator for their AMI program covering northwestern Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and northeastern South Dakota.
Insights
Six Considerations for a Successful Utility Network Cloud Implementation
October 26, 2021
For any GIS manager or IT professional tasked with implementing ArcGIS Utility Network (UN), knowing where to start can be daunting. If not properly planned, a UN setup in the cloud can be significantly more expensive and less accessible, stable, and secure.
Insights
On the Road to Decarbonization: The Role of All-Source Competitive Solicitations
October 14, 2021
All-Source Competitive Solicitations offer utilities an alternative to centralized planning, construction and dispatch of power supplies, helping to usher in a new era of market-driven technology innovation.
Insights
Amplifying the Next Phase of Fleet Electrification: The Pickup
September 30, 2021
TRC’s analysis for one client fleet shows that even a $70,000 EV can compete on cost with a comparable gas-hybrid vehicle priced at $40,000 – at least in California where upfront and ongoing incentives stack up quickly.
News
TRC Digital Selected by Snohomish County Public Utility District to Implement Siemens EnergyIP® Meter Data Management
September 15, 2021
Snohomish PUD selected TRC to implement, integrate and deliver their meter data management system (MDMS) on the Siemens EnergyIP® platform as a part of the utility’s Connect Up program.
News
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company uses AI to assess and repair distribution pole damage
August 4, 2021
As part of its grid enhancement program, OG&E will leverage collaborative AI-powered image recognition technology that enables engineers to complete distribution pole inspections with greater accuracy and helps to reduce manual review of images.
Insights
Reasons for IT/OT Modernization
August 1, 2021
Opposites attract, and information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) are no exception. At one end of the digital grid sits IT as a business application, while OT exists at the other end of the digital grid as an asset-oriented application. For decades, IT and OT have been operating separately and are often physically isolated.
Insights
IT/OT Convergence Best Practices
August 1, 2021
A successful IT/OT convergence strategy involves identifying desired outcomes, managing the fragmentation of OT solutions, and developing common key performance indicators (KPIs) for both IT and OT teams. This approach helps in optimizing resources, driving effective collaboration, and ensuring a smooth transition towards a unified IT/OT environment.
News
TRC Acquires Montreal’s Quatric, Expanding Digital Capabilities for Utilities
June 16, 2021
Today, TRC announced the expansion of its digital capabilities with the acquisition of Quatric, a Montreal, QC and Quincy, MA-based firm that provides engineering services and technology solutions to electric and gas utilities.
Insights
What’s Next? Preparing for Utility Network Migration
May 12, 2021
In preparing for Utility Network Migration, taking an intermediate approach will allow you to resolve some key points. Utility Network Migration will run smoother if you build a “sandbox environment” and begin to 1) prioritize features 2) explore licensing options and 3) practice moving data.
Insights
5 Persistent Questions About ArcGIS on HANA
April 9, 2021
While ArcGIS on HANA implementation patterns are emerging rapidly, we continue to hear 5 persistent questions about how implementing ArcGIS on HANA would benefit an organization. Let’s walk through these 5 questions, I’ll show you how we help you get started with ArcGIS on HANA. Then you may realize the benefits this solution promises.
News
TRC Digital partners with Dominion Energy to evolve its distributed energy resource strategy
September 22, 2020
Dominion Energy, one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, has partnered with TRC Digital to evaluate, implement and integrate technology to further the utility’s distributed energy goals. TRC Digital will facilitate Dominion Energy’s strategy development and technology execution, allowing Dominion Energy and its customers to accelerate the shift to distributed energy resources (DER) and net carbon reduction.
Insights
TRC Digital and Reactive help utilities measure inertia for a more resilient grid
September 21, 2020
Together, TRC and Reactive combine TRC’s industry-leading power engineering expertise with Reactive’s machine learning software to provide utility teams with high-resolution frequency monitoring and automatic event analysis.
Insights
TRC Digital Partners with Treverity to Put Utility Engineers at the Center of Their Data
June 26, 2020
As part of TRC’s LineHub solution, Treverity helps transmission engineers get a holistic view of the grid through powerful digital data visualization and a customer-centric user interface.
Insights
TRC Digital and Enbala can help utilities monitor, control and optimize distributed energy resources
April 17, 2020
Distributed energy resources (DERs) are changing the way utilities think about power generation and energy flow. TRC and Enbala can offer utilities a multi-layered solution that highlights the strengths of each company.
