Project Challenge
�Current disaster response protocols often assume that individuals will follow idealized behaviors during emergencies. However, real-world responses are made by unique personal, social, and environmental factors. These gaps can reduce the effectiveness of existing emergency training models, especially for local communities with limited resources. This pilot project aims to investigate how people actually behave in immersive, simulated disaster scenarios with the goal of improving disaster response training, and public engagement.
Track A: Disaster Response Metaverse (DRM) for Enhancing Community Engagement through Immersive, Interactive Experiences
Terre Haute, IN, and Fargo, ND
NSF Award ID: 2431326
PI: Jisoo Park, Indiana State University
2024 Civic Innovation Challenge
Pilot Vision
- Expand and refine the Disaster Response Metaverse (DRM) for flood and tornado scenarios.
- Establish Metaverse Centers for community-based immersive training.
- Collect behavioral data to improve emergency response guidelines.
- Co-develop human-centered training strategies with civic agencies.
- Enhance disaster preparedness for local residents, first responders, and educators.
Civic Partners:
- 14th & Chestnut Community Center
- Vigo County Emergency Management Agency
- Terre Haute Police
- Terre Haute Fire Departments
- NDSU Police Department
- Fargo Fire Department
- West Fargo Fire Department
Research Partners:
- Indiana State University
- North Dakota State University
Research Questions
- How can we design and structure a metaverse-based disaster scenario to encourage active participation from local communities?
- How do individuals actually behave in immersive disaster scenarios when faced with real-time uncertainty, and how do these actions differ from what they report in standardized emergency plans?
- How can behavioral insights be utilized to develop more adaptive and realistic response guidelines?