X3D Scenarios and Case Studies:
Real World Applications - Real World Solutions
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EMI uses BS Contact VRML/X3D for real-time GIS-3D visualization for incident management
During natural or man-made incidents and disasters such as an earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires or hazardous spills, reliable and understandable information about the scope and extent of the incident is critical for response, mitigation, and recovery. The French software producer EMI, Port de Book, wanted to develop a 3D visualization tool to extend their GIS (Geographic Information System) 2D mapping solution in order to improve coordination and speed of local emergency response. 3D would provide more intutive information on locations, terrain and building layouts. The 3D solution would need to interactively and in real time process GIS data.
EMI integrated the BS Contact VRML/X3D into their GIS disaster control program. Information from the GIS is visualized in 3D in real time over the internet using Open Process Communication (OPC) supported in BS Contact via X3D extensions. The 3D and media information can be used as an enhancement to the GIS system.
For natural hazards like fires or floods, it is difficult to intuitively convey information about terrain and location of responders. Information is presented as text or as 2D contour maps which require expertise to interpret. 3D visualizations give an immediate and intuitive understanding of the location of fires, the terrain fire fighters will encounter, and in addition can provide the locations of any emergency airborne vehicles.
For urban environements, while the GIS can display a buildings’ footprint, the X3D visualization displays the building floorplan, showing evacuation routes including local terrain and obstacles. While a GPS can track location of emergency reponders on an individual floor, a 3D map can track them in relation to other floors, and the location of important infrastructure. Extending conventional 2D GIS with 3D visualization to represent the internal structures of high-rise buildings can significantly improve the overall speed of rescue operations.
For underground pipelines and utiliies, a 2D GIS can locate a shut off valve in a 2D map, but a 3D visualization makes it clear if the valve is behind other pipes, if it is ground level or at head height, etc. A 3D visulization can also make it clear what kind of equipment can be physically transported by inspection and repair crews to the accident scene (e.g. is there enough volume to bring in a vehicle, or will only a person fit in a tunnel). In addition to 2D GIS maps and 3D models, the X3D GIS tool also supports video (training, weather reports, etc) that can be used to to add additional information.
Finally as part of preparedness training, using the X3D GIS tool, crisis situations can be rehearsed virtually. Weather conditions can be simulated, terrain can be changed, pedestrian patterns within a building can be constrained etc. Training groups can also interact over a network for better coordination.