When
July 09, 2026
Time
12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Contact Hours
1
Location Online - Course
One Hour Webinar
Description
– The VDOT Mountain Tunnels are a critical component of the transportation infrastructure in southwestern Virginia, supporting the safe and efficient movement of motorists through this corridor. Ongoing operations and maintenance of these facilities are essential to ensuring safe, reliable underground passage and long-term infrastructure performance.
VDOT started an initiative to transform reality-capture and engineering data into an integrated, maintenance-ready digital foundation with support from Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT). JMT is developing a LiDAR-based existing conditions dataset to produce accurate 3D models that can be carried forward through design and construction and reused for operations, enabling standardized documentation and comparison of tunnel conditions across disciplines.
Integrated LiDAR-derived data, Revit building information models, and enterprise GIS services are planned to enhance tunnel maintenance and operations. Tunnel geometry, asset information, and model content are standardized to support data consistency, reuse, and interoperability across design, inspection, and operations workflows. Revit models developed from LiDAR point clouds capture critical tunnel features. These model-derived assets are reviewed, prioritized, and planned for integration into VDOT’s ArcGIS Enterprise environment.
Together, the LiDAR, Revit, and GIS solutions will establish a practical pathway from field data to decision-ready information, supporting inspection, maintenance, and long-term asset management for VDOT’s mountain tunnel facilities.
Instructor
Sean Grinnell, P.E.
Mr. Grinnell is the Mountain Tunnels Program Engineer and has been with the VDOT for 32 years with a background in roadway design, project management and delivery, traffic engineering, traffic signal construction, and tunnels. As the Mountain Tunnels Program Engineer, he oversees the program that includes maintenance, operations, and capital improvement projects for Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and East River Mountain Tunnel located in Bland County of Bristol District.
Niki Miller
Ms. Miller is a Senior Director of Client Engagement with 25 years of experience supporting clients and project teams in identifying and implementing technology solutions to address complex business challenges. She managed the development of BIM standards for the VDOT Mountain Tunnels and has been providing guidance to the project team developing the tunnel digital twins. She is also a UVA alumna.
Alex Mercado
Mr. Mercado serves as a JMT BIM Manager with more than 26 years of AEC experience providing BIM project and platform support for vertical infrastructure projects. He led the technical implementation of BIM standards for the VDOT Mountain Tunnels program, including developing and refining Revit templates, validating asset parameters, coordinating CADD standards within Revit, and supporting secure model access and hosting to ensure adoption-ready deliverables.
Sean Lain
Mr. Lain is a JMT Deputy Director of Geospatial Solutions with 18 years of GIS experience providing technical project management and delivery oversight for the VDOT Mountain Tunnels project. He is currently providing project management and stakeholder coordination for the VDOT Mountain Tunnels GIS initiative, providing leadership to support the planning, execution, and delivery of GIS services for the East River Mountain Tunnel (ERMT) and Big Walker Mountain Tunnel (BWMT).
Mark Butterfield
Mr. Butterfield is a JMT Geospatial Solutions Lead with 20 years of GIS experience, providing GIS and data integration expertise in support of the VDOT Mountain Tunnels program. He specializes in data interoperability, including converting and integrating data across CAD, GIS, and BIM environments, and supporting asset management system integration. His experience also includes configuring ArcGIS Indoors and leveraging augmented reality (AR) technologies to integrate and visualize CAD, GIS, and BIM data within real-world contexts.
Registration and Payment
The following registration fees cover the session, all course materials and meals:
Local Government: $0
State/Federal: $0
Private Industry: $0
Click here for UVA TTA's general registration information, cancellation policy, and refund policy. UVA TTA accepts the following credit cards: American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. Credit card information cannot be taken over the phone. Alternatively, after registering you can print out a voucher to send in with your payment. After you have completed the transaction you will receive an automatically generated email confirming registration and payment if applicable. Final confirmation and instructions will be sent out during the week prior to the class date.
Special Registration Instructions for Employees of the Virginia Department of Transportation
VDOT employees must register through the VDOT Virtual Campus. Registration fees and related expenses for all VDOT employees will be paid from the VDOT Learning Services Center budget. Registrants should contact their District Training Coordinator or the VDOT Learning Services Center (Central Office employees) for instructions on how to seek reimbursement for travel expenses.
Due to current travel restrictions, VDOT employees are strongly encouraged to attend U. Va. TTA workshops on a day trip basis. Overnight travel requires permission from your District Administrator or Chief -- and in some cases higher levels of authority. If you require overnight lodging to attend a U. Va. TTA workshop, consult with your supervisor, District Training Coordinator, or VDOT Learning Services Center on travel approval procedures.