Applications of mobile augmented reality to water resources management

The present paper proposes a mobile prototype platform, based on Augmented Reality and multimedia smart-phone technology, which operates on a combination of real environment and computer-generated data in order to increase the human perception of a scene in real time. By enhancing visible details and displaying invisible or inexistent objects, this platform could improve water monitoring activities as well as the understanding of physical processes by technical and non-technical mobile workforces. At the same time, such a tool might support decision-makers in choosing strategies and actions aimed at forecasting, preventing, and mitigating environmental risks. A preliminary validation of the prototype performance was carried out in the field of water management, specifically for sample basin of Southern Italy. During the testing phase, this innovative application showed its ability to speed up field surveys, easily move around in unknown or remote places, and allow the employment of less-specialised users. These results could help reduce the time and costs of water monitoring activities, which would be perceived as essential by local administrators, contributing thus to the safeguard and the correct use of water resources.