Flood visualization has long been an effective motivator at the policy level and is used by advocates of change. However, while federal, state and local agencies offer mapping visualization of flooding and sea-level rise, the format of these 2D mapping applications is rarely sufficient to fully communicate flood risk to untrained community stakeholders. 3D VR is a game changer in its ability to visualize flooding solutions at human scale as though you are actually present at the scene during the flood. Immersed in their virtual communities, decisionmakers can view before, during and after simulations for different flood scenarios, and suggest design modifications before they are implemented, after which it is often too costly to make changes.  

About the Speaker:

Dr. Christopher Ellis' current research includes visualization of hydrologic modeling in 3D using virtual reality. Utilizing a variety of hydrologic flood models, together with high resolution terrain data generated through LIDAR, and GIS data of surface characteristics such as roads and building footprints, Dr. Ellis' lab builds realistic 3D models of high-risk flood-prone areas. The visualizations are instrumental in communicating flood risk to stakeholders who lack technical training, and who would otherwise place their trust entirely on experts to determine risks to safety and property. Preliminary findings from his recent studies show that both experts and non-experts rank 3D visualizations higher than traditional maps, elevations, and data tables to answer most questions associated with flood risk assessment. He is a licensed landscape architect and professor at the University of Maryland.