ARV

Synopsis

This Airship Research Vessel is a concept that supports a six person team to analyze disaster data from the air.

Thank you to TEAGUE for support through this project.

Skills

SolidWorks | Keyshot | VR Exploration

Credits

Professor - Jason Morris

Design - Ray McVicker

Design - Keith Forsyth

Design - Elise Batten

Date

10 Weeks | Fall 2023

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Designers

Keith Forsyth

Primary Focus: Research | Spatial Design

Secondary Focus: Rhino Modeling | VR Visualization

Ray McVicker

Primary Focus: Synthesis | Human Factors

Secondary Focus: Synthesis | Illustration | CAD

Elise Batten

Primary Focus: CMF

Secondary Focus: Visualization | User Synthesis

Madi Fassiotto

Primary Focus: VR Concept Testing | Illustration

Secondary Focus: Research | Visualization

Flooding impacts more people than any other environmental disaster.

Current specialists are often far from the disaster site, limiting situational awareness.

When a flood is predicted, the community and rescue teams are altered.

Specialists work together, though often from different locations and lack in person collaboration.

A holistic view of the scenario can be difficult when access is limited.

How might we enhance mitigation and response to flooding through advanced research and on-scene observation?

Before we could answer this, we needed to better understand:

Timeline
Organizations
Methods
Mapping Methods
Geographic Information Systems
Data Analysis
Emerging Technology
Strengths

Driven By Research

Tom | Land Surveyor + Humanitarian Aid Volunteer

“Situational awareness is everything.”

Grey | Contract Pilot for USGS + NOAA

“I could see an airship’s innate qualities being well suited for data collection.”

Liz | Whatcom Emergency Manager

“It is a teamsport, it isn’t as much about what you know but who you know.”

Additional Research

We continuously researched through found articles and organizations as well as recommendations from those we interviewed.

Ivan | Cargo Ship Captain
Rhyl | Marine Researcher
Matt | Wildland Firefighter
ESRI | GIS Mapping Software
LTA | Airship Developer
HOT | Humanitarian Open Street Map Team
OceanXplorer: Inside the world’s most advanced research vessel.
New York Times: New Data Reveals Hidden Flood Risk Across America
NSSL: Severe Weather 101
CBO: FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund

Key Insights

Dedicated individuals supporting those in need.

Who is responding?

Red Crescent, Red Cross, NOAA, USGS + more.

What is being done?

Providing resources, medical assistance, search and rescue, infrastructure, and logistics.

How can this be supported?

Ground support personnel can be better informed and supported through enhanced communication with informed aerial observation.

Data Collection

Surface imagery and LiDAR are crucial forms of data collection throughout a humanitarian crisis. Collection is primarily done through satellites and imagery, each having unique capabilities.

Data Analysis

GIS (geographic information system) is a mapping software used to visualize and understand data spatially. Used in parallel with on-scene observation it allows for a high level of situational awareness.

Data Application

Numerous applications for both humanitarian criss mitigation and response.

Develop hazard maps and identify flood prone zones.
Determining vulnerability of communities and infrastructure.
Tracking the progression of the flood and damage.
Identifying safe routes to increase evacuation efficiency.
Deploying personnel and resources where it’s most.

Tethered to reality and future possibility.

Lighter than Air Research is developing the next generation of airships focusing on advancing humanitarian aid. The Pathfinder 1 is a proof of concept vessel LTA is currently developing. An airship designed for disaster response, leveraging its strengths of endurance, low airspeed, and hauling capacity, is a promising concept.

Airship Research Vessel

A human-centric spatial design of an airship gondola which supports a dynamic team in understanding an affected areas’s needs, resources, and allows them to better record insights to improve future response.

Meet the Team

Onboard Specialists

Data Analyst

Needs:

Monitor and workspace

Reliable data

Communication (internally)

Flight Crew

Pilot

Needs:

No distractions

Visibility

Communication with crew

Logistics Coordinator

Needs:

Situational awareness

Ease of communication (external)

Rapid communication (internal)

Co-Pilot

Needs:

No distractions

Communication (internal + external)

Crew coordination

Systems Specialist

Needs:

Visibility

Access to sensors and cameras

Communication (internal)

Technician / Deck Hand

Needs:

Awareness of ship condition

Access for maintenance

Tools

Design Criteria

To improve early earning systems and disaster response through the following:

Interior design supports connection between team and provides space for team work.
Real time visibility of disaster benefits specialists’ understanding of disaster data and informs analysis.
Open sight lines throughout the ship boost onboard communication. Multiple external transmission methods creates efficient communication with stakeholders on the ground.
In-person communication and situational awareness assists in prompt, informed decision-making.
Flexible work space enables specialized teams to adjust space to fit their needs.

Spatial Design Ideation

Exploring and addressing the needs of ARV’s team members through design matrixes, block floor planning and journey mapping.

VR Spatial Design Refinement

To verify design decisions, we used virtual reality in tandem with props to conduct spatial design, ergonomics and human factor tests.

Airship Considerations

Positioned at the front and rear, as well as on both sides of the gondola, each equipped with a safety module.
Enhance aerial observation and provide increased natural lighting.
Designed to house the camera, LiDAR, and storage systems.
Regulated to minimize excessive movement within the gondola given a period of turbulence.