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 Fassioto

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: Collaboration | Visualizations

Secondary Focus: Synthesis | Illustration | CAD

Elise Batten

Primary Focus: CMF

Secondary Focus: Visualization | User Synthesis

Flooding impacts more people than any other environmental disaster.

source: BBC

Current scenario

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.

Improving early warning systems and disaster response

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

Driven By Research

  • Interviews

    Articles

    Websites

  • Timeline

    Organizations

    Methods

  • Mapping Methods

    Geographic Information Systems

    Data Analysis

  • Emerging Technology

    Strengths

On the Job

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.

Interviews

Tom - Land Surveyor

“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”

Gray - Pilot

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

  • GIS mapping is a technology that allows users to create, analyze, visualize, and manage geographical data.

  • This article helped us gain an understanding of systemic issues associated with disasters as well as current challenges and perspectives.

    “Factors that have inhibited the response to disasters in the past include, lack of a national-level plan policy, absence of an institutional framework at the center / state / district level, poor intersectoral coordination, lack of an early warning system, slow response from the relief agencies, lack of trained / dedicated search and rescue teams, and poor community empowerment.”

    -Kalpana Srivastava written for the National Library of Medicine

  • 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

image: LTA Research

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.

Research Synthesis

Survey answered by marine, search and rescue and research professionals.

Humanitarian Crisis

Data Collection

ARV

Airship Strengths

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

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) 

Approach

  • 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.

  • Block floor planning

  • team needs synthesis

  • VR Scenario Test Notes

  • Team journey mapping

  • space planning

VR Exploration

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

Test 01

Architectural Vision

Floor Plan

Design Language

Specialists workflow

Specialists spend most of their time in the work space collaborating.

Crew workflow

While the crew’s primary space is the cockpit they need access to the ships facilities.

Understanding Shared Space

Spatial design driven by specialists & crew needs.

How can lighting and CMF further support these tasks?

Lighting vision

CMF Palette

tactility in Work

  • Smart devices used to facilitate work flow and communication.

  • Structural material highlighting adjustability on chairs.

Privacy in Living

  • A functional alternative to felt where soundproofing is needed.

  • Individual sleeping cubbies allow for privacy.

Comfort in Living +

  • Natural wood tones bring a warm quality to the living space.

  • Incorporation of textiles creates an inviting feel to the living spaces.

Work

Parameter work station layout allows easy access to external systems for maintenance crew

Personalized adjustability promote a collaborative and dynamic work environment

Situational awareness of disaster supports informed decisions

Living

Noise reduction screens provide a more private and serene space

Individualized storage for crews personal belongings

Workspace seating equipped for takeoff and landing

Living +

Shared dining space strengrthens onboard community

Induction stovetop an fresh food storage provides sense of home

Secured cook ware and readily accessible dry food storage

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