Immersive Virtual Environment

Over the last few years, Roanoke, VA, has faced increasing flooding challenges due to storms with high rainfall rates over short periods. To address these challenges, this project is pioneering an immersive flooding simulation using Virtual Reality (VR) technology to assess community risk perception and psychological impact. The goals of this project are to develop 1) virtual digital twin models that visualize the flooding impacts related to climate change, 2) an effective risk communication platform for local communities and planning professionals, and 3) an interactive engagement workshop toolkit for collaborative resilience planning. Throughout this project, the digital twin city model will serve as a tool for civic engagement, providing valuable feedback for planning and decision-making processes. This immersive visualization technology will enable local communities to better understand future climate change disaster risks, facilitating more effective evacuation decision-making.