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Ahmed Al-Sadi, Thelma Moses, & Saed Altawabeyeh. (2023). iAWHINA: Towards Designing an Offline Disaster Mobile Application. In V. L. Thomas J. Huggins (Ed.), Proceedings of the ISCRAM Asia Pacific Conference 2022 (pp. 103–110). Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey Unversity.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present the design stages of a built-for-purpose disaster response mobile application called iAwhina. The authors propose to design iAwhina as an interactive user-friendly offline mobile application that provides flawless user experience to support and aid in emergency response situations. The prototype works in both online and offline modes, using ad hoc network technology. The design process followed during the development of the user interface is based on a set of usability criteria that are presented in this paper. A systematic literature review on the usability criteria for disaster mobile applications and discussions with industry experts helped to finalize the user interface elements that will enhance the usability of the application. The relevant features that will be included in the application were drawn from literature. A discussion on how the design process plays a critical role in designing disaster mobile applications is also presented.
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Amro Al-Akkad, & Zimmermann, A. (2011). User study: Involving civilians by smart phones during emergency situations. In E. Portela L. S. M.A. Santos (Ed.), 8th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: From Early-Warning Systems to Preparedness and Training, ISCRAM 2011. Lisbon: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper concerns a preliminary user study to determine the acceptance of a mobile application that is supposed to involve civilians during emergencies. In particular, the focus is on bystanders. Their intervention during emergencies constitutes a delicate issue, since they were traditionally considered as a rather annoying party being merely observers of incidents. However, with the ubiquity and ever-increasing capabilities of cell phones there might emerge a great potential to flip the coin and to benefit from bystanders playing from now on a contributive role. To examine this hypothesis, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 persons. The result of our study shows that people are willing to use such mobile assisting system, and thus we take it as a positive starting signal to continue our research into this direction considering the elicited user constraints.
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Amro Al-Akkad, & Christian Raffelsberger. (2014). How do i get this app? A discourse on distributing mobile applications despite disrupted infrastructure. In and P.C. Shih. L. Plotnick M. S. P. S.R. Hiltz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2014 Conference Proceedings – 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 565–569). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: This paper aims to lead a discourse on distributing mobile applications while having no access to cloud services. While in daily life people acquire applications via application stores, the access to those stores can be severely hampered in disasters. Instead of wishful thinking, i.e. hoping that people or manufactures would pre-install an (emergency) app before a disaster, we have started to investigate into Internet-less deployment mechanisms. We discuss five potential approaches of deploying apps in an ad-hoc fashion. Each approach is assessed against six criteria, while taking a stance that the smartphone is the minimally required deployment platform. This paper concludes with the observation that current mobile operating system providers do not provide “Internet-less” deployment mechanisms, although platforms as Android allow for this. This said, we hope that this contribution can spark further interest into the discussed problematic.
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Bennett Gayle, D. M., Yuan, X.(J.), Dadson, Y. A., & Edwards, N. K. (2023). Contact Tracing Mobile Applications in New York: A Qualitative Study on the Use and Privacy Perceptions. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (pp. 620–635). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: Contact tracing mobile applications were used in several countries as the exclusive means of reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In the United States (US), such mobile applications were not nationwide; several states adopted and developed mobile applications for use by the local citizenry. Previous research indicated that the use and adoption of such applications might be correlated to individual demographics. Using the Antecedent Privacy Concerns and Outcomes (APCO), this study assesses individuals' use, adoption, and privacy considerations when using the contact tracing mobile application in New York State. Focus group participants were interviewed to determine if age or race/ethnicity were confounding factors related to their use of these mobile applications. This qualitative study will contribute to the body of knowledge by operationalizing and expanding on the APCO model to further understand the service, privacy, and perception of mobile apps used during COVID-19.
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Christian Reuter, Thomas Ludwig, Timo Funke, & Volkmar Pipek. (2015). SOMAP: Network Independent Social-Offline-Map-Mashup. 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: Maps, showing the tactical or the administrative situation at any particular time, play a central role in disaster management. They can be realized as interactive map mashups. In addition to classical information (weather, water levels, energy network, forces), they can also be used to present a view on citizen-generated content, e.g. from social media. In this paper we offer insights into how mobile map mashups can assist citizens during infrastructure failures that often occur in large-scale emergencies. Based on a review of approaches and mobile applications from literature and especially from practice, we present SOMAP (social offline map), a mobile app we developed in Android. It offers offline map functionality in terms of (A) pro-active loading and storing of potentially needed maps of the respective area as well as (B) the possibility of exchanging information from social media using Bluetooth. The application was evaluated qualitatively, to gain insights into the potential of such applications.
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Marc Schönefeld, & Malte Schönefeld. (2020). IT-Security Awareness of Emergency Alert Apps. 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. 396–405). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: The article presents first research-in-progress results of an initial assessment of the IT-security awareness of five exemplary German-language emergency-alert apps. Emergency-alert mobile applications became part of many modular-oriented warning systems around the globe. Warning and intended population behavior relies on trust upon the integrity of any warning institution, be it governmental or private. IT-security is crucial in order not to undermine trust. Emergency apps do not fit into the typical entertainment purpose of mobile applications, and we show that their primarily focus on keeping the user safe from harm can cause a conflict of interest about distribution of scarce technical resources on a mobile device, which may again endanger IT-Security. We therefore promote a better integration and standardization of disaster management functionality on the operating system layer.
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Marcin Przybyszewski, Anna Stachowicz, Tomasz Olejniczak, Michal Choras, & Jan Zych. (2016). Application ?Pomoc? ? Emergency Calls with Geo-location. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: Location of emergency events is one of the crucial aspects during rescue actions. However, there are situations, when people calling for help are not able to provide their precise location (due to e.g. being lost). In the same time, people use mobile phones with advanced capabilities every day. Thus, the idea behind application ?Pomoc? (?Help? in Polish) presented in this paper is to make use of already available feature of mobile phones, i.e. GPS (General Positioning System) receiver. Application enables citizens to make emergency call (using European emergency call number 112) and send GPS location to Public Safety Organizations (PSOs), and from the PSOs side ? to receive this call and locate it on the map through the desktop part of the application. Application is developed within the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme project SOTERIA: On-line and Mobile Communications for Emergencies (http://soteria.i112.eu/). End users of SOTERIA project are citizens and PSOs.
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Marion Lara Tan, Oshada Senaweera, Asanka Gunawardana, Mohamed Rasith, Mohamed Suaib, Theepika Shanthakumar, et al. (2023). New Zealand COVID Tracer App: Understanding Usage and User Sentiments. In V. L. Thomas J. Huggins (Ed.), Proceedings of the ISCRAM Asia Pacific Conference 2022 (pp. 89–102). Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey Unversity.
Abstract: The NZ COVID Tracer app is a part of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) Government’s strategy to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper investigates people’s usage and sentiment on the app from its release in May 2020 to the end of 2021. Descriptive analysis of app data and sentiment analysis on user review data were used. The results show that before March 2021, the overall sentiment on the app was negative but gradually improved over time. The passive Bluetooth-tracing feature is utilised more consistently than the anual features. However, the increased proportion of positive sentiments is seen to increase with active app use. Results highlight the consistency of the Bluetooth-tracing feature but do not discredit the importance of manual interaction, as active use can improve the perception of the app. Insights from this study will be helpful as apps adapt to the changing context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Marion Lara Tan, Raj Prasanna, Kristin Stock, Emma Hudson-Doyle, Graham Leonard, & David Johnston. (2019). Enhancing the usability of a disaster app: exploring the perspective of the public as users. In Z. Franco, J. J. González, & J. H. Canós (Eds.), Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response And Management. Valencia, Spain: Iscram.
Abstract: Limited research has studied how citizens? perspectives as end-users can contribute to improving the usability of disaster apps. This study addresses this gap by exploring end-user insights with the use of a conceptual disaster app in the New Zealand (NZ) context. NZ has multiple public alerting authorities that have various technological options in delivering information to the population?s mobile devices; including social media platforms, apps, as well as the Emergency Mobile Alert system. However, during critical events, the multiplicity of information may become overwhelming. A disaster app, conceptualised in the NZ context, aims to aggregate, organise, and deliver information from official sources to the public. After the initial conceptual design, a usability inquiry was administered by interviewing members of the public. Partial results of the inquiry show that the public?s perspective has value; in the process of understanding the new user?s viewpoint, usability highlights and issues are identified.
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Andrea Marrella, Massimo Mecella, & Alessandro Russo. (2011). Collaboration on-the-field: Suggestions and beyond. In E. Portela L. S. M.A. Santos (Ed.), 8th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: From Early-Warning Systems to Preparedness and Training, ISCRAM 2011. Lisbon: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In disaster scenarios, emergency operators/first responders need to collaborate in order to reach a common goal. The use of mobile devices and applications in these scenarios is very valuable as they can improve collaboration, coordination, and communication amongst team members. But there are also risks involved while using these mobile applications, e.g., decreasing of performance. Most of the tasks are highly critical and time demanding, e.g., saving minutes could result in saving people's life. Therefore, it is unacceptable to use systems that lack proper interaction principles. In this paper, we provide some suggestions, in the form of lessons learned and/or hints for possible future research activities, on how to effectively support on-the-field collaboration of emergency operators. Such suggestions are based on the authors' experience in a recently concluded successful research project on the use of mobile devices for supporting first responders.
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Mehrdad Negahban, & Reza Nourjou. (2016). Internet of Things for Next-Generation Public Safety Mobile Communications. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: This short paper briefly introduces the beamCitizen, a next-generation public safety mobile communications technology. It provides a mobile cloud communication platform that allows sharing of live video, voice, text, photo, location and other critical information among citizens, dispatchers and responders. It aims to connect people, information, and sensors. Our approach was to apply and implement ?Internet of Things? for development of the beamCitizen. To evaluate the beamCitizen, we used the University of Maryland as a pilot to create an end to end public safety communication and response service among the citizens, the 911 center and the first responders in order to help connect and protect close to 20000 students, faculty and visitors. It is available for download.
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Mohd Khairul Azmi Hassan, & Yun-Heh Chen-Burger. (2016). Communication and Tracking Ontology Development for Civilians Earthquake Disaster Assistance. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: One of the most important components of recovery and speedy response during and immediately after an earthquake disaster is a communication and tracking which possibly capable of discovering affected peoples and connects them with their families, friends, and communities with first responders and/or to support computational systems. With the capabilities of current mobile technologies, we believed that it can be a smart earthquake disaster tools aid to help people in this situation. Ontologies are becoming crucial parts to facilitate an effective communication and coordination across different parties and domains in providing assistance during earthquake disasters, especially where affected locations are remote, affected population is large and centralized coordination is poor. Several existing competing methodologies give guidelines as how ontology may be built, there are no single right ways of building an ontology and no standard of Disaster Relief Ontology exist, although separated related ontologies may be combined to create an initial version. This article discusses the on-going development of an ontology for a Communication and Tracking System (CTS), based on existing related ontologies, that is aimed to be used by mobile phone applications to support earthquake disaster relief at the real-time.
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Marco Romano, Teresa Onorati, Paloma Díaz, & Ignacio Aedo. (2014). Improving emergency response: Citizens performing actions. In and P.C. Shih. L. Plotnick M. S. P. S.R. Hiltz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2014 Conference Proceedings – 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 170–174). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: The role of common citizens within the emergency management (EM) process is crucial in order to support efficiently the operators' activities during the response phase. Moreover, their participation is strictly related to their profile and their experience in previous events. In a previous contribution we identified the different roles that the citizens can play for an effective cooperation with the EM workers. In this paper, we introduce an emergency tool based on a mobile application designed to support the activities of the citizens acting as Agent. The Agents have specific capabilities recognized by the EM Operation Center (OC) to execute actions under the remote supervision of the EM operators. The proposed tool allows the Agents to receive information from the OC and to visualize it through an advanced visualization modality. In particular, available information is previously collected by the center from the witnesses and the affected people that have alerted about it.
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WeiHua James Li, Julius Adebayo, Fuming Shih, & Lalana Kagal. (2015). Understanding the role of mobile technologies for humanitarian relief. 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: Smartphones are becoming increasingly useful in disaster management both to provide useful information to victims and to coordinate relief operations. However, a lack of technological expertise as well as considerable amount of time and cost required to build mobile applications prevents the rapid deployment of useful applications by humanitarian organizations for different crises. In this paper, we describe a participatory design workshop that we conducted at the International Committee of Red Cross to identify challenges of adopting mobile technologies within relief organizations. Through this workshop, we identified major challenges associated with developing mobile applications: lengthy development and deployment cycle, costly budget, and frequent requirement changes. We then introduced our framework that enables non-programmers to quickly develop and deploy mobile applications in these situations. The workshop participants identified three areas where our framework improved upon existing mobile solutions: reducing data integration overhead, fast prototyping for app development, and customization of apps.
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