Can immersive reality improve traffic incident management?

Recent advancements in immersive reality technologies provide an opportunity for innovative virtual training and capability development options in traffic incident management.

This project aims to critically review and evaluate the use of immersive reality using untethered Virtual Reality Environments (VRE) in training and capability development for first responders and multi-agencies in traffic incident management.

Project findings will inform the potential use and application of the technology for training and capability development in traffic incident management.

Participants

• • Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland)
  • Deakin University

Project background

Traffic incident management coordination and capability remains critically important to the efficient management of road network systems. Whilst road authorities and related agencies use a wide range of traffic control and management techniques to manage traffic movements at incident sites by keeping motorists and incident responders safe, coordination of the incident response activities, particularly those involving multiple agencies, is critical to ensuring safe and efficient management of incident sites.

Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have advanced significantly in recent years and portable (untethered) consumer grade headsets are now readily available. This provides the opportunity to provide first responders and multi-agencies with innovative virtual training and capability development in traffic incident management in scenarios that would not otherwise be readily achievable without significant cost and resources.

Project objectives

The objectives of the project are to:

• understand the benefits, disbenefits and utility of application of immersive reality using untethered Virtual Reality Environments (VRE) in training and capability development for first responders and multi-agencies in traffic incident management generally, and within Queensland;
• compare the use of immersive reality using untethered VRE in training and capability development for first responders and multi-agencies in traffic incident management generally, and within Queensland versus traditional in-field training; and
• use the evaluation to inform TMR’s consideration of potential use and application of the technology (through providing a proof-of-concept) within traffic incident management as a training and capability development tool.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!