Thomas Bernoulli, Gerald Glanzer, Thomas Wiebflecker, & Ulrich Walder. (2010). Infrastructurless indoor positioning system for first responders. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: To overview the site of operation in case of an emergency is crucial for effective emergency management. This is a difficult task, in particular within large buildings or underground structures. Information about the whereabouts of the staff is a key element of effective disaster management. This paper presents an indoor positioning system which is able to track and locate people within buildings independent of any infrastructure (global navigation satellite system, WLAN installations, etc.). The system is based on inertial measurement units computing the track of its wearer and a component verifying this position estimates using floor plans of the building. This novel approach allows robust tracking and locating of action forces within buildings and underground structures.
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Sebastian Denef, Tobias Dyrks, Leonardo Ramirez, Sebastian Denef, Berthold Penkert, & Daniel Meyer. (2009). Designing for firefighters-building empathy through live action role-playing. In S. J. J. Landgren (Ed.), ISCRAM 2009 – 6th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Boundary Spanning Initiatives and New Perspectives. Gothenburg: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In this paper we present a role-playing workshop in a firefighting scenario conducted within the frame of a multidisciplinary consortium. Our work focuses on developing a navigation ubicomp infrastructure leveraging the cognitive skills of firefighters. Technology for navigation must understand existing navigation practices in order to provide adequate support. To deal with the complexity of this process, we use a participatory design approach based on a strong synergy among partners. We argue that a key aspect for the creation of this synergy is the construction of a bond of empathy allowing technology experts to understand the needs of the users of technology and also allowing firefighters to understand the role and activities of technology developers in the process. We present an account of the workshop conducted and some insights of the role that this method can play for complex, multidisciplinary teams working on developing safety-critical technology.
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Fahd Bin Malek Newaz, Aslak Wegner Eide, & Antoine Pultier. (2015). Supporting first responder in-field communication and navigation using head-mounted displays. In L. Palen, M. Buscher, T. Comes, & A. Hughes (Eds.), ISCRAM 2015 Conference Proceedings ? 12th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Kristiansand, Norway: University of Agder (UiA).
Abstract: This paper explores the added-value of using interactive head-mounted displays to support command and control of first responders during emergency response. Specifically, it describes and evaluates a prototype system that makes use of Google Glass to enable in-field receiving of information from a command center, as well as in-field navigation and video streaming. The viability and usefulness of the concept was evaluated through a set of end-user workshops and interviews. A small-scale experiment was also conducted to assess the efficiency of using head-mounted displays for in-field navigation, as compared to handheld devices. Findings from workshops and interviews suggest that head-mounted displays could be a valuable supplement to radio communication, with potential for reducing information misinterpretation, and for enhancing information quality. Results from the experiment indicate that head-mounted displays have the same level of efficiency as handheld devices when used for basic navigation tasks.
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Charlotte Hellgren, & Björn J.E. Johansson. (2012). Reducing workload by navigational support in dynamic situations. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: By presenting continuously updated heading and distance information on a small head-mounted display (HMD), as a supplement to a GPS-receiver, we examined if workload could be reduced and performance increased, when navigating in a demanding situation. The purpose was to present limited but sufficient information to facilitate navigation. The technique was tested on ground troops, but could also be used by rescue services and police in situations that require navigation in unknown environments. The main findings were that the workload was reduced in one aspect (during navigation) but increased in another (looking for foot placement). There were no clear differences in performance, except that participants stopped fewer times to look at the GPS-receiver if they had updated heading and distance information. This suggests that a supplement display with minimal information could be useful when navigating with a GPS-receiver in an unknown environment. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Alexei Sharpanskykh. (2012). An agent-based approach for safety analysis of safety-critical organizations. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: Modern safety-critical organizations are characterized by complex, nonlinear dynamics involving many interrelated actors and processes. Safety issues that emerge from these complex dynamics increasingly remain hidden, until an incident or even a serious accident occurs. Traditional safety analysis methods developed long ago for much simpler organizations cannot help identifying, explaining and predicting many safety-related properties of modern organizations. To address this issue, in the paper a formal approach is proposed to establish relations between local dynamics of actors of a complex safety-critical organization and global safetyrelated properties that emerge from these dynamics. In contrast to the traditional approaches, the organizational dynamics are specified by taking the agent perspective with an organizational layer. The application of the approach is illustrated by a simulation case study, in which spread of safety-critical information in an air navigation service provider is investigated. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Tolt, G., Rydell, J., Tulldahl, M., Holmberg, M., Karlsson, O., & Bissmarck, F. (2023). The MAX Drone for Autonomous Indoor Exploration. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (pp. 220–230). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: This paper presents the concept and prototype implementation of a drone for Multi-purpose Autonomous eXploration of indoor environments – MAX. The purpose of MAX is to support first responders in the difficult task of assessing unknown and potentially dangerous or hostile situations in indoor or underground environments. The approach for addressing challenges associated with this task has been to construct a custom-designed drone based on requirements and conditions of first responder missions. This paper reports on the first phase of development of the MAX drone, aimed for experimentation with autonomy functionality in first responder contexts and for enabling further development of advanced higher-level planning functions. It describes the overall design of the MAX drone, its capabilities in terms of robust positioning and autonomous mission execution, along with the status of key enabling algorithms for exploration, such as target point selection and path planning.
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Tomasz Opach, Carlo Navarra, Jan Ketil Rød, & Tina - Simone Neset. (2020). Towards a Route Planner Supporting Pedestrian Navigation in Hazard Exposed Urban Areas. In Amanda Hughes, Fiona McNeill, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2020 Conference Proceedings – 17th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 517–528). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: This study aims to design a route planner functionality that includes real-time context information from physical sensors and citizen observations to support pedestrian navigation in urban areas exposed to extreme heat and floods. Urban population is growing and people living in urban areas are especially exposed to heat and urban flooding, which are two of the anticipated effects of climate change. Route planning functionality can be of value to individual citizens, especially those with limited mobility, as well as for healthcare professionals and authorities who are responsible for crisis response and management. Although the route planner functionality is to be experimentally implemented in a specific tool with the use of broadly available web technologies and real time data, a major generic outcome is the framework that can be used to develop the functionality as part of a decision support tool of any kind.
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Martin Voshell, & Stijn Oomes. (2006). Coordinating (Shared) perspectives in robot assisted search & rescue. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 188–196). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: From high fidelity field exercises to disaster response deployments, search and rescue robots are being readily integrated into rescue operations. Previous research has proposed that for such new technology to be successful in an operation the organization architecture needs to support the coordination of shared perspectives between the human team members and the robotic platforms. For this, the robot platforms need to be effective team players in the field of practice. Based on this conceptual model, this paper introduces a novel software interface utilizing virtual position and orientation indicators to alleviate perceptual ambiguities and navigation problems experienced by robot handlers and problem holders. By actively orchestrating and sharing these indicators between handler and operator displays, the interface caters to user expertise and to the natural competency of the human perceptual system. These probes provide a basic tool for aiding robot navigation and way-finding fundamental to effective team coordination and communication in urban search and rescue missions.
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