Development of a gamified training platform for improved disaster preparedness and response in developing countries
Conference
Thomas, L, Wang, L. (2024). Development of a gamified training platform for improved disaster preparedness and response in developing countries
. 267-276. 10.1061/9780784486139.029
Thomas, L, Wang, L. (2024). Development of a gamified training platform for improved disaster preparedness and response in developing countries
. 267-276. 10.1061/9780784486139.029
Disasters, natural or man-made, present substantial risks worldwide, highlighting the need for effective disaster preparedness and response training. However, many developing nations lack available resources to implement such training. Moreover, traditional training methods are often outdated and lack engagement. Recognizing these limitations, several studies have explored virtual reality for disaster training. However, these studies mostly focus on a single disaster in predefined settings, and there is a lack of study on man-made disasters. To address these knowledge gaps, this study proposes a multi-modal gamified training platform. Developed in Unity engine, this platform covers three disasters (i.e., floods, earthquakes, and active shootings). A key feature is its user-customized building module, which allows users to design their training environment for improved spatial awareness and training performance. Preliminary results show the potential of this research to provide cost-effective and immersive training solutions for improved disaster preparedness and response in resource-limited developing countries.
