Unreal Engineering: Bay Bridge Explorer offers digital drive down eastbound detour

The world famous Bay Bridge in San Francisco is currently undergoing maintenance work to improve the construction’s “seismic safety”.

So, the city’s transport authority has come up with an innovative new way to keep drivers appraised of the changes: a new, free iOS app.

Bay Bridge Explorer uses Unreal Development Kit technology to provide users with interactive updates to the bridge’s construction, which is expected to be completed in 2013.

Presently, select eastbound lanes into Oakland are set to be closed overnight for maintenance - so, for the time being, the app offers a drive down the bridge’s new eastbound detour from a first-person perspective.

Acceleration is automatic, and your car can be steered by tilting your iDevice. You can hit the gas to speed up to a whopping 60mph, or brake should you wish to slow down and take in the scenery.

There are no vehicular crashes - run into the back of a slow-moving car and you’ll simply pass through it. You can also drive down the off-ramp, but shortly after taking the exit, the demonstration ends.

If Bay Bridge Explorer proves successful, could we potentially see a future wave of iOS apps for up-to-the-minute travel information?

It’s a fascinating way to keep San Franciscans informed, that’s for sure, and equally refreshing to see an Unreal Engine title without any burly space marines or hulking armoured warriors.