The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is pioneering the use of virtual reality (VR) to showcase a major new construction project: the Liverpool Baltic Merseyrail station. This innovative approach offers a glimpse into the future of public transportation accessibility in the region.

Planned for completion in 2027, the Liverpool Baltic Merseyrail station represents a significant investment in the Liverpool City Region's infrastructure. With an estimated cost of £100 million, the project is designed to enhance public transportation options for residents.

To foster public understanding and garner support for the project, LCRCA is deploying VR technology. Residents are invited to participate in VR walkthrough experiences from June 3rd to July 26th. This immersive experience allows them to visualize the completed station and its potential benefits.

VR as a Communication Tool

The LCRCA's adoption of VR exemplifies the technology's potential to effectively communicate complex ideas. Similar to how VR training simulations can reduce costs by providing realistic training environments, VR showcases can offer stakeholders a digital representation of large-scale projects. This approach facilitates informed decision-making and ensures projects meet community needs before construction commences.

Furthermore, the Liverpool project aligns with the Merseyrail for All initiative, which promotes accessibility within the region's local battery-powered rail network. The VR experience empowers residents to grasp the station's design and its integration of new technologies, fostering local buy-in for the project.

VR in Safety Training

The LCRCA's initiative follows the success of Network Rail's VR training program. Network Rail's Community Safety team has delivered immersive safety sessions to over 1,000 students, utilizing VR headsets to simulate railway environments and highlight potential dangers. This program has demonstrably improved students' understanding of railway safety protocols.

Building on this success, Network Rail intends to expand its VR safety training module to encompass additional schools and universities along the East Coast railway route.

The LCRCA and Network Rail's VR initiatives showcase the transformative potential of VR technology in both public engagement and safety training within the transportation sector.