Augmented Reality for Real-time Decision-Making in Flood Emergencies

Locomotion interfaces for head-worn AR, while rescuers move on site, are critical in disaster response including flood emergency management. Incorporating live, real-time data, rather than static information, in the form of forecasting of events over time, without overloading the user’s field of view, is crucial. This paper presents an innovative head-worn AR flood management system designed to support situational awareness and way-finding by enhancing decision-making for emergency responders on-the-go. Our system dynamically visualizes present and predicted water levels as well as water speed and direction at specific future time intervals in real-time, regardless of location, improving flood management while rescuers are moving. Moreover, points of interest are shown in the horizon with the ones most likely to require assistance indicated by color variation, allowing rescuers to navigate and respond more effectively to emergency scenarios. Our gaze-enabled AR system prototype was tested by professional firefighters in Innsbruck and Dortmund. Feedback from these trials highlighted the potential of providing comprehensive, real-time, AR visualization to enhance disaster response strategies.