Community Response Enhanced Education on Disasters (CREED): Virtual Reality Training to Enhance Transportation

Artificial Intelligence/Virtual Reality (AI/VR) simulation activities enhance critical emergency management functions—planning, forecasting, threat detection, security, and information sharing—ultimately improving the preservation of life and property. These tools create a safe, immersive environment where participants build problem-solving skills, decision-making ability, and confidence in disaster response. This project will deliver education, professional development, and continuous improvement in emergency preparedness for both aspiring and current professionals. The research team will invite high school and community college students to participate alongside university students and practitioners. Participants will engage in hands-on training and live demonstrations using advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven simulations. The program fosters multidisciplinary collaboration among disciplines: Emergency Management Technology, Meteorology, Computer Science/Engineering, Health Science, and Journalism, and Media Studies. Through classroom instruction, workshops, and interactive training demos, students will work directly with emergency management professionals, strengthening real-world skills, supporting school-to-work transitions, and enhancing career readiness.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $82,547.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348331

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC)

  University of Arkansas
  4190 Bell Engineering Center
  Fayetteville, AR  United States  72701
• Performing Organizations:

  Jackson State University, Jackson

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Jackson, MS  United States  39217-0168
• Principal Investigators:

  Murphy, Jessica

• Start Date: 20260701
• Expected Completion Date: 20270630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial intelligence; Disasters and emergency operations; Education and training; Personnel development; Simulation; Students; Virtual reality
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Security and Emergencies; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01996309
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348331
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 21 2026 4:29PM