SCALABLE INTERACTIVE SIMULATION-BASED TECHNOLOGY FOR DISTRIBUTED COLLABORATIVE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS 

University of Ottawa

Training and preparedness are critical if police, firefighters and other personnel are to respond effectively to natural disasters and other emergencies. Dr. Azzedine Boukerche of the University of Ottawa is leading a project to design and develop advanced computer technology that will take training to a new level while keeping it affordable.

The goal is to create virtual environments that simulate emergency scenarios with realistic 3D graphics and sound, and synchronize the actions of a host of participants in different locations. Through large-scale simulated exercises, emergency personnel could receive sophisticated training on their own premises and would not have to travel to a central location. An Early Researcher Award will enable Dr. Boukerche to further develop a long-term research program in this area.

"This type of training prepares personnel to respond to changing conditions automatically, so they don't have to stop and think about what to do in a real situation," says Dr. Boukerche. "For example, virtual firefighters could suddenly confront a gas leak and be required to take fast action."

To sustain the feeling of immersion in a virtual environment, users must receive quick visual feedback on their own actions. But with a large number of participants generating information, the network can become congested. Reducing network traffic to keep the sense of immersion is a key issue Dr. Boukerche is addressing.

"The outcome of this project will be improved emergency response, highly trained researchers and very possibly commercial products, which would strengthen Ontario's economically strategic information technology sector," added Dr. Boukerche.

Researcher: Dr. Azzedine Boukerche