THREE buckets of sand (and what can only be described as ‘extreme Meccano’) and our Augmented Reality sand table (AR) was ready to showcase to the Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP) board members in July.
Rapid Response Catchments
David Moreton demonstrates the AR sand table
Our Rapid Response Catchments project team demonstrated the new and improved AR sand table at the meeting in Stokenteignhead, with plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” and approving nods.
After the first iteration of the AR sand table, we have made several improvements to the frame to aid portability (with a ratchet set on standby) and to increase the strength to hold the additional weight of the extra sand.
Pièce de résistance
The real pièce de résistance is the updated software; not only does this visually demonstrate catchment topography, but it also allows the user to simulate rainfall, infiltration and catchment hydrodynamics.
While this isn’t a modelling tool, it is proving to be a valuable engagement tool; as an ice breaker and discussion point during engagement and education events, highlighting the challenges of pluvial and fluvial flooding and how Natural Flood Management (NFM) can be used to build resilience in communities.
3D printed models of local infrastructure are used to demonstrate how quick flows, characteristic of Rapid-Response-type catchments, can overwhelm communities, but that by slowing the flow, NFM can be a valuable asset in the resilience toolkit.
Positive feedback
Feedback has been gathered from the DRIP board, with views to further develop the table and focus on expanding opportunities for other WRT staff members and DRIP project partners to use the AR table.
The response to the table has been overwhelmingly positive and has once again highlighted WRT for its innovative engagement work.
However, the praise for WRT at the DRIP Board meeting did not end there, with the River Operations team’s outstanding work delivering NFM plans and works at Stokenteignhead being highlighted and showcased to board members during an afternoon site visit.
All in all, a very positive day for our charity.
