Traditionally, graphical output used to illustrate the various development scenarios, likely impacts and mitigation options put forward as part of the EIA process has been in the form of two dimensional hardcopy plans.  This style of presentation, while sufficient to communicate information to a technical audience, is not easily interpreted by non-technical people.  The demonstration 3D EIA initiative aims to investigate presentation methods using 3D animations to better communicate EIA issues and thus promote Continuous Public Involvement and stakeholder engagement.  

For this demonstration product, 3D EIA animations were generated using 3D GIS software for two fictitious projects illustrating two different development scenarios that could potentially have noise, and water quality impacts.

The key benefits of using 3D GIS software to produce 3D animations such as those on this CDROM are:

ease with which a variety of EIA modelling data can be integrated;

real-time stakeholder engagement and scenario testing;

repeatability;

ease of system use by non-expert (c.f. CGI software which requires many  years of experience to operate); and

speed with which models can be produced.

It is important to note that this demonstration project aims to illustrate the concept of 3D EIA.  For this project, 3D GIS has been used to produce 3D EIA animations using scientifically modelled data.  Emphasis has been on demonstration of concept rather than on exploring the Virtual Reality capabilities of CGI software.  

Road Development Project

Animations have been generated for a fictitious road project in which two alignment options and one alternative land use scenario are to be investigated.  The animations show the baseline conditions (paying attention to potential constraints), visualisations of the two proposed alignments, effects of the alignments on sensitive receivers without mitigation, and the improvements resulting from mitigation.  Click on the Road Development Project link to view the Scenario 1 animations.

Dredging Project

Animations have been generated for a fictitious gas pipeline project in which an alignment option is to be investigated.  The animations show the baseline conditions (paying attention to potential constraints), visualisations of the proposed alignment, effects of the alignments on sensitive receivers without mitigation, and the improvements resulting from mitigation.  Click on the Dredging Project link to view the Scenario 2 animations.