Research projects

One of the unique selling points of the Visdom simulation software in digitalized flood management is the ability to calculate flood risks for extremely large areas in just a few seconds to minutes. These two components - large and fast - provide the ideal basis for the cooperation with the Oldenburgisch-Ostfriesischer Wasserverband (OOWV), Germany's largest water supplier with an area of 7,457 km².

On behalf of the OOWV, VRVis is developing an interactive model for the entire area covered by the association that simulates and 3D visualizes heavy rainfall and flood events with an accuracy of one meter and tailored to the various precipitation zones and regions of Lower Saxony. As usual for every Visdom model, all necessary data sources and parameters for reliable and true-to-life hydrodynamic modeling are automatically included. Crucial here is the integration of the following components:

• Hydrodynamic boundary conditions, based on the current data from the KOSTRA heavy rain catalog of the German Weather Service.
• Interception (reduction of the surface-effective runoff by vegetation)
• Infiltration (consideration of soil types and sealed surfaces)
• Roof water (consideration of excess roof water as inflow around the buildings or at the sealed surfaces around the buildings, assuming an absorption capacity of the local sewer system)
• Bridges and culverts
• Sewer networks as point sources

Interactive, fast, instant - the ultimate tool for collaboration and decision making

Visdom, with its on-the-fly modeling, low-threshold 3D visualization, and web application capability, calls out to be used collaboratively and remotely. The interactive Visdom model for OOWV is specifically tailored to encourage diverse audiences and stakeholders to "play" with the model themselves. With just a few clicks, historical heavy rainfall scenarios can be simulated, and, depending on the intensity of the precipitation, various protective measures can be implemented and tested. Each interaction allows the Visdom base model to grow further, as the software can "remember" new data, use cases, and questions and automatically integrate them into the model.

Visdom goes a big step further than other solutions through this collaborative usability and by focusing on clear visualization of flood and heavy rainfall risks. As a decision support tool, it not only significantly supports the work of experts but, above all, promotes the participation and understanding of the general public in the development of climate change adaptation and disaster management strategies.