37 research outputs found
A generalized geo-hazard warning system
An automated geo-hazard warning system is the need of the hour. It is integration of automation in hazard evaluation and warning communication. The primary objective of this paper is to explain a geo-hazard warning system based on Internet-resident concept and available cellular mobile infrastructure that makes use of geo-spatial data. The functionality of the system is modular in architecture having input, understanding, expert, output and warning modules. Thus, the system provides flexibility in integration between different types of hazard evaluation and communication systems leading to a generalized hazard warning system. The developed system has been validated for landslide hazard in Indian conditions. It has been realized through utilization of landslide causative factors, rainfall forecast from NASA's TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) and knowledge base of landslide hazard intensity map and invokes the warning as warranted. The system evaluated hazard commensurate with expert evaluation within 5-6 % variability, and the warning message permeability has been found to be virtually instantaneous, with a maximum time lag recorded as 50 s, minimum of 10 s. So it could be concluded that a novel and stand-alone system for dynamic hazard warning has been developed and implemented. Such a handy system could be very useful in a densely populated country where people are unaware of the impending hazard
Agent-based Simulation for Evaluation of a Mobile Emergency Management System
Large public events such as sporting events, concerts, fairs and street festivals are quite common in metropolitan areas. Because of the high frequency of such events and the increasing number of involved parties, the stakeholders responsible for the organization and execution have to cope with increasing complexity and shortening time frames for planning and preparation. Especially in public transportation, unplanned incidents that occur during these events can have devastating effects because of the high concentration of passengers. Emergency management systems that utilize mobile communication infrastructures can provide prompt information delivery to save human lives. In this contribution we propose a system design for mobile emergency management. We also present an evaluating approach for this system design using a multi-agent based simulation, based on empirical data for a particular large event as well as for normal rush hour traffic. We also consider characteristics of the mobile communication infrastructure