Navigating the University of Virginia: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Virginia (UVA), a place of rich history and vibrant community, welcomes thousands of visitors each year. As the only university in the United States designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, UVA holds outstanding universal value and requires careful preservation for future generations. This guide provides information on navigating the UVA campus and its surrounding areas.

Discovering UVA: A World Heritage Site

UNESCO defines World Heritage Sites as “places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity” and must be protected for the future. UVA, frequently ranked among the top college towns and happiest places to live in the United States, is the heartbeat of Charlottesville, offering a balance of natural serenity and a lively, culturally vibrant community. Exploring the Corner provides a taste of Hoo life.

Planning Your Visit

To make the most of your visit, contacting UVA’s schools directly for tour information is advisable. Charlottesville truly has it all, so take your time to soak in the atmosphere.

Directions to Virginia State University

While the focus is on UVA, directions to Virginia State University (VSU) are also provided for those interested in visiting. VSU is approximately 125 miles south of Washington, DC, and 20 miles south of Richmond, VA, via I-95. The campus has highly visible, easy-to-locate way-finding signage. However, feel free to chart your destination in advance by referencing the 3D photorealistic campus map.

Arriving by I-95 South from Richmond, Washington, DC

Follow 1-95 South to Petersburg.
Take the Temple Avenue exit.
Turn left at Temple Avenue and continue to the second traffic light (Boulevard).
Turn left at Boulevard and continue to the fourth traffic light (Dupuy Road).
Turn right at Dupuy Road, which changes to River Road.
The campus will be on your left.
Enter at Matthew-Jefferson Drive.
Proceed around Matthew-Jefferson Drive onto University Avenue.
Turn right onto Hayden Street.
Take the exit for I-95, follow I-95 South to Petersburg.
Take the Temple Avenue exit.
Turn left at Temple Avenue and continue to the second traffic light (Boulevard).
Turn left at Boulevard and continue to the fourth traffic light (Dupuy Road).
Turn right at Dupuy Road, which changes to River Road.
The campus will be on your left.

Arriving by U. S. Route 1 North or I-85 North

Arriving by U. S. Route 1 North: Take 1-95 North to Petersburg exit (Washington Street). Turn left on Washington Street and continue to Sycamore Street. Turn right at Sycamore Street and continue to end of street (Old Street). Turn left at Old Street (changes to Grove Avenue) and continue on Grove Avenue to Fleet Street. Turn right at Fleet Street and cross Appomattox River Bridge.

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Arriving by I-85 North: Follow I-85 North to I-95 North. Take Petersburg exit (Washington Street). Turn left on Washington Street and continue to Sycamore Street. Turn right at Sycamore Street and continue to end of street (Old Street). Turn left at Old Street (changes to Grove Avenue) and continue on Grove Avenue to Fleet Street. Turn right at Fleet Street and cross Appomattox River Bridge.

Arriving by Amtrak

Experience the ultimate convenience of traveling to and from Virginia State University with Amtrak Virginia, located just a quick five-minute walk from the Petersburg (PTB) station. Whether you are a student, parent, or alum, you can enjoy seamless, direct rail service from major hubs like New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, and Richmond.

3D Perspective Campus Mapping

Creating functional and aesthetically pleasing campus maps requires careful planning and execution. Map development should support the overall branding and identity efforts. Consistent imagery across print, signage, and web-based presentations reduces confusion as individuals navigate to a destination.

Key Information Needed for 3D Mapping

The key piece of information needed from clients to effectively complete a 3D perspective campus mapping project are good, high-resolution (and reasonably current) oblique aerial photographs depicting at least 85-90+ percent of the property to be mapped from the same elevation and direction that clients wish to see depicted in their finished campus maps.

Aerial Photography

If clients do not have access to reasonably-current oblique aerial photographs of their property, these services can be arranged with aerial photography partners. Costs will depend upon location and the amount of urgency required in completing a photo shoot. Photography fees have generally been seen between $750 and $1,000 US for a majority of the aerial photography work done in the United States.

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Site Plans and Previous Maps

In addition to oblique aerial photography, it is also generally helpful to receive copies of a property's site plan, along with any previous examples of campus maps for the property that can be obtained, as that provides access to a very efficient method of ensuring a very accurate finished-product. Site plans are usually available from an institution's Physical Plant, Facilities Department, or Campus Architect.

Maintaining Campus Maps

Clients have options for maintaining the images. They can maintain the images themselves, hire mapformation to maintain the imagery for them, or hire a third party to maintain the maps for them if they so choose. Map developers hope to develop long-term, fruitful relationships with all of their clients, and enjoy having the opportunity to maintain the maps they have created in perpetuity. Roughly half of clients choose to have the developers maintain all aspects of the imagery developed, while 80-85 percent of clients will have them perform at least "major" updates as changes occur.

File Formats

Finished artwork is typically delivered in SketchUp (.skp) format, as well as a variety of "2D" output formats that clients might desire, including .jpg, .tif, .eps, .pdf, .bmp, .png, .dxf and .dwg.

The editable .skp file format would require that clients have a copy of SketchUp in order to edit the map in three-dimensional form. Clients could, however, overlay information on top of any "static" views that are generated in 360-degrees by importing .tif, .bmp, .jpg or .png graphics into any raster software program, such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel PhotoPaint.

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