Restricted Research - Award List, Note/Discussion Page
Fiscal Year: 2023
146 University of North Texas (142034)
Principal Investigator: Sharma,Sharad
Total Amount of Contract, Award, or Gift (Annual before 2011): $ 125,779
Exceeds $250,000 (Is it flagged?): No
Start and End Dates: 1/15/23 - 8/31/24
Restricted Research: YES
Academic Discipline: Information Science
Department, Center, School, or Institute: College of Information
Title of Contract, Award, or Gift: FW-HTF-P: Immersive Virtual Reality Instructional Modules for Response to Active Shooter Events
Name of Granting or Contracting Agency/Entity:
National Science Foundation
CFDA Link: NSF
47.041
Program Title:
none
CFDA Linked: Engineering Grants
Note:
Research, Basic: The mass causality shootings in the United States has a great effect on society. Recent years there has been a sharp increase in active shooter events, but there has been no introduction of new technology or tactics capable of increasing preparedness for an active shooter events. The goal of this effort is to conduct data collection, preliminary experiments, and a pilot study for improving preparedness for an active shooter event using collaborative immersive virtual reality (VR) environment. We will illustrate the future technology of conducting emergency response training for security personnel and occupants with a set of the essential research component, addressing trends of data, machines, tools and human technology relationship in the future. We have already developed occupants training virtual reality instructional (VRI) module of active shooter response for building using run, hide and fight mode. The simulation environment will be further expanded for security personnel training VRI module starting with an active shooter scenario. During the planning phase, the PI will gather a coalition of public safety representatives to identify future training requirements at BSU. Training effectiveness is the primary assessment metric. Our vision is for the immersive VRI modules to ultimately become a platform for emergency training that is deployed across institutions of higher education (IHE). If practice makes perfect, then active shooter response training drills and exercises are the path to perfection when it comes to implementing emergency operation plans (EOP) and translating them into action. This will result in potentially increasing their effectiveness in the event of an actual emergency or, at least their effectiveness in implementing the current plan. Moreover, best practice in emergency management calls for an evaluation and improvement cycle after each exercise to improve not only how the plan was followed, but also if EOP is designed correctly in the first place. Staff roles and responsibilities may change substantively in the wake of a drill or exercises.
Discussion: No discussion notes