Location-Aware Augmented-Reality for Predicting Sea Level Rise in Situ

Public awareness of climate change's growing impact on coastal areas is vital for assessing and managing future environmental changes in order to restrain its effect. Accessibility to climate change data and evident display of its consequences can promote social engagement. Augmented Reality (AR) technology can efficiently communicate scientific data, advocating the environmental message. However, AR comes with usability and interaction challenges especially outdoors inbright sun light, noise and traffic. This paper presents a location-aware, interactive visualization of the predicted sea level rise on the coastal area of the old city of Chania in Crete, Greece. Usability challenges in relation to AR operating outdoors are tackled in relation to non-obstructive virtual content placement and interaction, while the integration of external GPS data enable accurate geo-location. An interactive system enables the user to witness the sea level rise impact on site, in real-time, up to the year 2100 prompting immediate awareness of future environmental changes and associated hazards.