A multi-role, multi-user, multi-technology virtual reality-based road tunnel fire simulator for training purposes

The simulation of fire emergency scenarios in Virtual Reality (VR) for training purposes has a large number of advantages. A key benefit is the possibility to minimize the associated risks if compared with live fire training. Fire in road tunnels is among the most complex and hazardous events to be dealt with in this context, since the outcome of the incident depends on the actions of both the emergency operators and the involved civilians. This paper presents a VR-based road tunnel fire simulator designed to support multiple roles (firefighters, as well as occupants of both light and heavy vehicles) which can be played by multiple networked users leveraging a broad set of technologies and devices. The simulation tool -- named FrejusVR -- is developed as a serious game for training purposes, and includes functionalities to assess the users' actions. For the sake of realism, the simulation uses Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) data to manage smoke visualization.