How to start a software based master's thesis

The first step can probably be in Sketchup if I can observe the Google Earth load event. If not, it will have to begin in Google Maps.

Interactive Step 1: What area are you interested in modeling? Select it.
Process 1:
User selects the area of the map in Google maps.
The selected coordinate box is sent to a provider of road data. This may be a GIS server or possibly the Google Maps API. The server returns the road data.
Sketchup is launched. A Sketchup plugin imports the selected map is imported into Sketchup. It will probably be necessary to import zoomed in maps from Google Earth that make up the user's selection.
A Sketchup plugin observes the map import and in turen imports the road data as narrow 3D lines. A default width of 10 feet may be appropriate if no data is available about the width. Matching the road data width will be challenging. It may be necessary for the user to pull each road to it's correct width. This isn't too much to ask.

Sketchup now controls an HTML page that further guides the user.
Interactive Step 2: Would you like add more mapping area to Sketchup? If yes return the user to the web browser to select a new area from Google Maps. Repeat process 1. Alternatively the user may want to start over. If no than the user is ready to modify the streets. Show the user how to pull out a sample piece of street. You can probably just bring up a little screenshot video to show them how.
Process 2: Observe all the street stretches (streets will be identified as streets using attributes. Do not allow stretching along the Z plane. This should prevent mistakes. Offer the option to restore the street to it's original if the user screws up.

Interactive Step 3: When the user is satisfied with their stretches, it's time to apply 3D surfaces to the streets. These will be selectable from a neatly organized set up panels with clear descriptions.
Process 3:
The user should be able to drag instances to the street where they want them located. The panels should snap. Normal sketchup copy/paste and move/paste operations will be supported, but Z axis constrained.

Optional Step 4: They should also be able to add metros at a fixed level on the negative Z access. The metro need not be more than track and trains, though showing tunnels should be reasonable. The underground metro will need to be drawn with a line tool that is Z constrained. It should transform to metro tunnel as the lines are drawn. The lines should be converted to double track metro. More metro lines should be possible at other Z levels or alongside.

Step 5:  The user can always return to steps 3 and 4. The next step is to add streetscape elements, such as lighting, trees, and streetcars.

That's about it for the streets! Building importation and stretching is tricky. It may be fairly easy if building elevations are available in GIS, but I'm not sure how common this is.

Once streets and buildings are setup. It's time to do ridership analysis, traffic analysis, and economic and true cost analysis.

Step 1: Whether or not temporary car lanes were placed in the model by the user, the user should write about the changed traffic patterns. Offer the user plenty of guidance.

Step 2: Using other city transit data, the user should be guided through the process of making ridership estimates for the transit service. They should speak here about number of trips claimed from buses and cars. Again, plenty of guidance is needed.

Step 3: Traditional economic benefits. Use guidance from other plans to guide the user. Check out the Oakland streetcar plan.

Step 4: Full cost economic analysis. Guide the user through this analysis as well.

Step 5: Report generator. Give the user export tools to generate a report. Give the user information about where to send the report--media, politicians. The report should be posted to the carfree-cities site as should the sketchup data. The user may have to tag the project based on the location they want it identified with (if the location engine is anything more than lat/lon)

Next step, illustrations