This week, Liverpool’s Mayor Steve Rotheram hosted a showcase event at the Baltic Triangle to highlight how the city is leveraging VR technology to advance the £100m Baltic Merseyrail construction project.
Rotheram said:
Our plans for Liverpool Baltic station demonstrate our ambitions for the future of our network, with this virtual walkthrough showcasing the level of quality we want to build for our residents. This station will be located in an area that is growing in popularity, and this holds massive potential in driving economic growth in and around the Baltic.
The showcase uses a VR walkthrough application, enabling interested individuals to experience a simulated version of the under-construction project. Rotheram also stated that the project is “the first of many new stations part of my commitment to ‘Merseyrail for All’, connecting communities not currently connected by the rail network to harness growth and opportunities in our area.”
During the showcase, Rotheram placed himself inside the virtual version of the complete construction project, showing what the space will look like upon its 2027 completion.
The first drop-in virtual walkthrough session started this week and will continue until Sunday, August 4, 2024. The VR walkthrough programme is accessible via an online webpage. Future drop-in events will begin on Tuesday, July 23, at FireFit Youth and Community Hub in Toxteth.
Thanks to the VR walkthrough, the public can express their views on the multi-million-pound project via an accompanying online survey. Leveraging the feedback gathered via the VR walkthrough, the project’s leaders will apply those thoughts to construction starting in 2025.
Philippa Britton, a Network Rail Principal Programme Sponsor, noted that the virtual reality walkthrough is “a fantastic way” to communicate construction plans for the Liverpool Baltic. Moreover, Britton added that it’s “great to deliver the design of the new station in this vibrant part of the Liverpool City region and work alongside the combined authority and other partners.”
More on Baltic Merseyrail and VR
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has recently outlined a plan to introduce the new Liverpool Baltic Merseyrail station, which is expected to be ready for use in 2027. Rotheram introduced the project in 2022 to enhance public transportation accessibility in the area.
The project represents a significant investment in the region. Currently, forecasts estimate the project to cost roughly £100 million. The project managers have chosen VR walkthroughs to help the public understand what the new establishment will look like and how it may benefit their lives.
The city’s leaders are putting trust into VR to accurately portray the soon-to-be station, building support and understanding of its multi-million dollar project ahead of the official construction starting in 2025.
Lynn Haime, the Chief Executive of the Baltic Creative CIC, said:
We are thrilled to see progress on the Liverpool Baltic station and get a feel for what it will look like. We’ve campaigned for this for many years as an important addition to the area which will not only support the existing business community but also fuel further growth. The need for this station reflects just how significant the Baltic Triangle has become as a location, and regular research with our creative and digital community consistently shows that it would be well used and warmly welcomed. The introduction of this station also aligns perfectly with Baltic Creative’s sustainability agenda, enhancing our efforts to create a greener, more connected future.
In the case of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the group can easily showcase a large-scale project. Much like virtual training sessions can save money by allowing learners to train using digital twins of experience machinery and equipment, virtual showcases like the Liverpool station experience can offer a range of participants a digital presentation of a large-scale investment. This ensures the project is valid and beneficial ahead of onsite work.
The Liverpool use case also supports the region’s Merseyrail for All efforts, which connect diverse communities using accessible local battery-powered rail network technology.
