Abstract:

Transportation planners regularly engage communities through public meetings to seek input on planning for the future, including impacts of sea level rise (SLR) on streets and neighborhoods. Planners present ideas verbally and visually with maps and other two-dimensional (2D) media, such as photo renderings. Three-dimensional (3D) virtual and augmented reality visualizations are increasingly affordable and accessible to display on devices such as Microsoft HoloLens Goggles and glasses that connect to smartphones, such as Samsung Gear VR. This US DOT-funded research project, in partnership Louisiana State University and Illinois Institute of Technology, compares 3D technologies depicting SLR in a South Florida location and tests whether 3D technology helps residents better understand the impacts of SLR on transportation infrastructure and communities. In meetings of neighborhoods facing SLR impacts up to the year 2100, participants learn about SLR using traditional methods, such as verbal presentations and 2D photos, maps, and charts showing SLR impacts on their streets and take a survey on what they saw. Then attendees view SLR impacts using 3D visualization technology and indicate via a survey whether the 3D visualization technologies led to a deeper understanding of the issues and whether they might become more engaged in community planning activities.