Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources (GCDWR) initiated a project to restore Garner Creek and install stormwater BMPs to address sediment impairment due to urban runoff. The project is adjacent to a high school and youth soccer association property, providing an excellent opportunity for community outreach and public education.
Incorporating technology into the project is an important and exciting way to advance Gwinnett’s mission to provide educational opportunities for students and the general public. GCDWR staff worked with our consultant, Jacobs, to develop augmented reality applications using a 3D game engine in three formats to help stakeholders, students and visitors to the project site visualize the final design before its construction and learn about the design elements of stream restoration and green infrastructure BMPs. The mobile/tablet app, compatible with Android and Apple devices, allows the user to stand in various locations on the project site and view a 3D model of the design superimposed on the real environment. The app also allows the user to visualize a 3D version of the project on top of the engineering plan, providing is useful tool for public meetings or other off-site uses. The desktop application provides a video game-style fly-through of the project site.
The augmented reality applications are being used throughout construction and beyond, with this project serving as a pilot for the use of the technology on future GCDWR projects.

Augmented Reality as an Outreach Tool for Watershed Improvement Projects

Created in 1999, the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is the recognized leader within ASCE for the integration of technical expertise and public policy in the planning, design, construction, and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land and water resources.

[Paper Proceedings](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483466)