Visdom Mobile: Decision Support On-site Using Visual Simulation Control

Abstract

The power of fast flooding simulations has not yet been used to enhance on-site decision making. In this paper, we present the case study of a mobile user interface which provides remote access to a simulation-powered decision support system. The proposed interface allows users to explore multiple alternative flooding scenarios directly on-site. Different views are used for this purpose. Scenario and time navigation is done through a temporal view, while a spatial view is used to navigate through space via a 3D rendering of a scenario. Using the touch-sensitive mobile device, the user can create alternative scenarios by sketching changes directly onto the rendering. The mobile interface acts as a thin client in a distributed environment where the server performs simulation and rendering. The approach was presented to a group of domain experts in the field of hydrology, who consider it to be a useful step forward. Further tests were done with a simulation engineer who considers the interface to be intuitive and useful.