Usage of geodata and virtual reality in the modern situation visualization

Abstract

When a crisis arises, geographically referenced data is helpful in dealing with the situation. A map can provide a link between available data and stakeholders. It allows all participants to obtain an understandable model of the situation. For crisis management, hawse have developed an integrated system with an emphasis on ergonomics and data fusion. Visualization and interaction are tailored towards specific responsibilities as well as towards different devices such as smartphones, desktops and large displays. In addition to commonly available 2D geodata, highly accurate and up-to-date 3D geodata becomes more readily available. 3D geodata displayed on normal display devices, however, naturally lacks the third dimension. In order to gain a better understanding of the situation, we have added a virtual reality variant to its crisis management system. The VR environment allows meeting as a team, connecting local and remote participants, in the VR environment for a more efficient and natural discussion. In this VR meeting, all participants can work with the same geodata and annotations, providing a consistent view of the situation. To assess the additional value of 3D geodata and virtual reality visualization in this context, a user study was conducted comparing the performance using 2D geodata, 3D geodata and visualization in VR. The study provides insights into the task-specific value of 3D geodata and VR visualization.