Is virtual reality the next frontier for traffic incident management capability and response coordination development?

Author: Dan White and Viki Watson

Queensland state-controlled road users are no stranger to disruptions like vehicle crashes on the network. In managing disruptions, the Department of Transport and Main Roads employ best practice traffic incident management techniques (Department of Transport and Main Roads, 2009). Of which, collaboration and coordination with multi-agencies is key to safely, quickly, and efficiently restoring normal traffic flow (Austroads Ltd, 2020).

In developing traffic incident management capability and response coordination maturity, the department uses various tools and methods including desktop training and exercises, on-the-ground training, in-field incident exposure and debriefs (Department of Transport and Main Roads, 2021). Buch such tools and methods are not without limitations.

Opportunities to facilitate multi-agency training is one limitation. As are cost, resource investment and environment fidelity. So, having a solution to facilitate regular training in controlled, safe, multi-agency and high-fidelity environments with customised scenarios addressing key risk areas like high-volume, high-speed environments, may go some way to addressing such limitations.

More recently, various organisations have embraced virtual reality, like untethered experiences, to mature capability and experiences across disciplines and use cases, including rehabilitation (Metro South Health, 2023) and construction (Victoria’s Big Build, 2023).

Enter VR-TIMS. The objective of which is to understand the benefits, disbenefits and utility of application of virtual reality in traffic incident management, comparing the outcomes of in-field exercises to those in virtual reality, and providing a proof of concept to inform the department’s future deliberations regarding application of such technology.

VR-TIMS concludes in August 2024. This presentation provides a case summary and project learnings.

Key dates

  • Abstract nominations open

    7 February 2024

  • Abstract nominations deadline

    Closed

  • Author notifications

    June 2024

  • Registration deadline for presenting authors

    5 July 2024

  • Engineering, Innovation and Technology Forum

    20-22 August 2024, BCEC

Learn more about this abstract in-person

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear more about this abstract by attending the Engineering, Innovation and Technology Forum 2024. 

More Abstracts