A Virtual Reality Bushfire Mitigation Tool for Community Consultation

Walker, Arron R. and Gard, Stephan and Williamson, Brian J. and Bell, John M. (2006) A Virtual Reality Bushfire Mitigation Tool for Community Consultation. In Proceedings Bushfire Conference 2006, Brisbane.

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Abstract

Instigating fire prevention and mitigation procedures within the rural/urban interface can save properties and lives. Councils and fire services can only do so much to prevent bushfire spread and damage within these areas. It is highly desirable that local communities to take responsibility for fire prevention and mitigation on their own properties. Changing people’s fire prevention and mitigation behaviours can only occur through effective education and consultation processes. This paper presents a virtual reality bushfire mitigation tool that will facilitate community consultation, and thus stimulate behavioural change with regard to fire mitigation. Virtual reality can visualise the effect mitigation can have in saving properties through using an interactive 3D interface that is readily understandable by the general public. This was achieved though a game-like application that allows users to change the vegetation and building configuration on their property. The users can run a fire simulation over the property and easily see the effect that their fire mitigation procedures would have on a fire front as it passes through their property. This contribution will improve community bushfire awareness and stimulate behavioural change which will directly reduce property damage and potentially save lives within the rural/urban interface.

Commentary on:	Walker, Arron R. and Gard, Stephan and Bell, John M. and Williamson, Brian J. (2006) Virtual Reality Bushfire Mitigation Tool.
Item Type:	Conference Paper
RM Number:	2007005201
Status:	Published
Keywords:	virtual reality, bushfire, simulation, fire modelling, consultation tool
Subjects:	310000 Architecture, Urban Environment and Building 280000 Information, Computing and Communication Sciences > 280200 Artificial Intelligence and Signal and Image Processing > 280211 Virtual Reality and Related Simulation 310000 Architecture, Urban Environment and Building > 310100 Architecture and Urban Environment > 310103 Urban and Regional Planning
ID Code:	5085
Deposited By:	Walker, Arron
Deposited On:	28 November 2006
Alternative Locations:	http://www.bushfire2006.com/
Copyright Owner:	Copyright 2006 (please consult author)
Additional Information:	For more information or a copy of this article contact the author ar.walker@qut.edu.au

Commentary/Response Threads

Walker, Arron R. and Gard, Stephan and Bell, John M. and Williamson, Brian J.. Virtual Reality Bushfire Mitigation Tool. (deposited 23 May 2007)
- Walker, Arron R. and Gard, Stephan and Williamson, Brian J. and Bell, John M.. A Virtual Reality Bushfire Mitigation Tool for Community Consultation. (deposited 28 November 2006) [Currently Displayed]