ARV

10 Weeks | Fall 2023

Credits

ARV is an airship concept centered around supporting a 6 person team with the intent of analyzing disaster data on the fly.

Special thanks to the designers at TEAGUE for their guidance and feedback.

Airship Research Vessel

Time

Professor - Jason Morris

Design - Madi Fassiotto

Design - Keith Forsyth

Design - Elise Batten

Design By

Madi Fassiotto

Primary Focus: VR Concept Testing | Illustration

Secondary Focus: Research | Visualizations

Keith Forsyth

Primary Focus: Research | Spatial Design

Secondary Focus: Rhino Modeling | VR Visualization

Ray McVicker

Primary Focus: Synthesis | Human Factors

Secondary Focus: Illustration | CAD

Elise Batten

Primary Focus: CMF

Secondary Focus: Visualization | User Synthesis

Flooding impacts more people than any other environmental disaster.

source: BBC

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

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

Specialist work together, tho 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”

Liz - Whatcom Emergency Manager

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

Additional research

Ivan L - Cargo ship captain
Rhyl F - Marine researcher
Matt B - Wild land firefighter pilot
ESRI - GIS mapping software
LTA - Next generation airships
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

Gray - Contract Pilot for USGS + NOAA

“I could see an airships innate qualities being well suited for data collection”

key insights

Dedicated individuals supporting those in need.

Red Crescent, Red Cross, NOAA, USGS & more
Providing resources, medical assistance, search and rescue, infrastructure, and logistics.
Ground support personnel can be better informed and supported through enhanced communication with informed aerial observations.

Humanitarian Crisis Relief

How are different methods of relief addressed following a humanitarian crisis?

Data collection

Surface imagery and LiDAR are crucial forms of data collection throughout a humanitarian crisis event. 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 crisis 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 needed.

image: LTA Research

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

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

image: LTA Research

Pilot

Needs:

no distractions
visibility
communication with crew

Data analysist

Needs:

monitor + workspace
reliable data
communication (internal)

Meet the team

 Flight Crew

Co-Pilot

Needs:

no distractions
communication (internal + external)
crew coordination

Onboard Specialists

Logistics cordinator

Needs:

situational awareness
ease of communication (external)
rapid communication (internal)

Technician/ Deck Hand

Needs:

awareness of ship condition
access for maintenance
tools

Systems specialist

Needs:

visibility
access to sensors and cameras
communication (internal)

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 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.

Improving early warning systems and disaster response

Design Criteria

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, & human factor tests.

Test 01

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 during turbulence.