Albert Y. Chen

Mobile Ad Hoc Network-Enabled Collaboration Framework Supporting Civil Engineering Emergency Response Operations

This paper presents an information-technology-based collaboration framework that facilitates disaster response operations. The collaboration framework incorporates a web collaboration service, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, a building blackbox system (BBS), a geo-database, and a geographic information system (GIS). Through the integration of these technologies, the framework provides a collaboration medium for first responders, including civil engineers, to cohesively respond to disasters. Access to critical building information, such as construction documents, through the BBS supports assessments of building integrity during disaster response. Building assessment information is stored on RFID tags, which are accessible to first responders through digital devices via a wireless ad hoc network. With on-site assessment information shown on a digital map, decision makers locate, collect, and distribute critical resources through the GIS to first responders. In addition, the decision makers at distributed locations evaluate the incident through discussion sessions, hosted by the web collaboration environment, for integrated decision making. Test-bed simulations for the framework have been carried out with encouraging results at the training ground of the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

Supporting urban emergency response and recovery using RFID‐based building assessment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on improving mobile computing support for professionals involved in a disaster response and recovery operation to facilitate better assessment of the damage caused to buildings and to make this assessment information available to personnel within the disaster response arena so as to expedite a safe, efficient and effective disaster response process.Design/methodology/approach – The research method involved the use of scenario‐based user needs analysis for studying end‐user needs and requirements and use of Rational Unified Process for software design and implementation. An IT‐supported collaboration platform was developed to enable first responders to communicate using handheld devices and laptops and share critical building evaluation information using a mobile ad hoc network. The deployed system was trialled at Illinois Fire Services Institute (IFSI).Findings – Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)‐enabled mobile devices and tags can be used for posting, g...

Decentralized Approach Considering Spatial Attributes for Equipment Utilization in Civil Engineering Disaster Response

After a disaster hits an urban area, well-organized response operations are required to efficiently mitigate the chaotic situation. Efficient distribution of resources, such as heavy construction equipment, is critical to urban search and rescue operations. The efficiency of these lifesaving operations depends on the delivery of required resources. Challenges within resource allocation operations for disaster response have been identified, which include the convergence of resources to the disaster-affected areas, lack of detailed information of available resources, and inefficient decision making for resource deployment. These challenges are obstacles to efficient search-and-rescue operations. This paper presents an innovative approach that facilitates immediate equipment distribution in response to disasters. The equipment control structure, inspired by the behavior control structure of honeybees’ foraging, enables decentralized and collective decision-making for equipment prioritization and distribution...

A Collaborative Framework for Supporting Civil Engineering Emergency Response with Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

This paper presents an IT-based collaborative framework that facilitates efficient and immediate coordinated response to disasters involving critical physical infrastructures in chaotic, hazardous and hostile environments. The system incorporates web collaboration tools, Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFID), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Blackbox Systems (BBS). Through the integrations of these technologies, the system provides a medium for the first responders to collaboratively respond to disasters. Critical information regarding buildings, such as blueprints, is stored and can be obtained from the BBS in order to facilitate the evaluation of building integrity. RFID tags are used by first responders to store building assessment information. Then, by using a mobile ad-hoc network, the building assessment information is distributed, so that other first responders and decision makers with access to the network will be able to view all the information available on a single electronic space, such as a geographical map. With the building assessment information on the electronic space, responders can perform an optimal resource allocation route analysis using GIS for immediate rescue of trapped victims and reconstruction of the disaster site. In addition, key decision makers at different locations can evaluate the overall system wide condition of the disaster and hold sessions to make integrated critical decisions through the web collaboration software –inMeeting. Prototype system development and testbed simulations of the system have been completed with encouraging results at the Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champaign, Illinois, USA.

Toward BIM-Enabled Decision Making for In-Building Response Missions

Decision making for rescue and evacuation is critical for disaster response operations not only in open spaces but also in buildings. For infrastructures with large and complex geometrical layouts, decision making could be facilitated with computer-aided approaches for better accuracy and efficiency. This paper aims to respond to fire in buildings. We combined network analysis with building information modeling (BIM) to facilitate the decision making for response operations. Building geometry is retrieved from the BIM model for graph construction and route finding. In this paper, the visibility graph (VG) and medial axis transform (MAT) are evaluated for graph construction. A hybrid method that combines VG and MAT is proposed, and encouraging results have been shown. Risks based on building materials and traffic of pedestrians are to be adapted for network edge costs to enable the lowest utility route finding in the future. The accuracy and efficiency for emergency decisions are expected to be improved for in-building rescue and evacuation operations.

Equipment Distribution for Structural Stabilization and Civilian Rescue

The efficiency of Urban Search and Rescue operations depends on the supply of appropriate equipment and resources, and an efficient damage assessment facilitates deployment of these resources. This paper presents an Information Technology (IT) supported system for on-site data collection to communicate structural condition, track search and rescue status, and request and allocate appropriate resources. The system provides a unified interface for efficient gathering, storing, and sharing of building assessment information. Visualization and access of such information enable rescuers to respond to the disaster more efficiently with better situational awareness. The IT system also provides an interface for electronic resource requests to a geospatial resource repository service that enables a spatial disaster management environment for resource allocation. Request and deployment of critical resources through this system enables lifesaving efforts, with the appropriate equipment, operator, and materials, to become more efficient and effective. System development at the Illinois Fire Service Institute has shown promising results. man power is not sufficient to perform Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) operations. The performance of search and rescue depends on the delivery of these critical resources. As US&R operations involve the location, rescue, and initial medical stabilization of victims DOI: 10.4018/jiscrm.2011010102 20 International Journal of Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, 3(1), 19-31, January-March 2011 Copyright

The Effect of Successful Intubation on Patient Outcomes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Taipei

Study objective: The effect of out‐of‐hospital intubation in patients with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest remains controversial. The Taipei City paramedics are the earliest authorized to perform out‐of‐hospital intubation among Asian areas. This study evaluates the association between successful intubation and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest survival in Taipei. Methods: We analyzed 6 years of Utstein‐based registry data from nontrauma adult patients with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest who underwent out‐of‐hospital airway management including intubation, laryngeal mask airway, or bag‐valve‐mask ventilation. The primary analysis was intubation success on patient outcomes. The primary outcome was survival to discharge and the secondary outcomes included sustained return of spontaneous circulation and favorable neurologic survival. Sensitivity analysis was performed with intubation attempts rather than intubation success. Subgroup analysis of advanced life support–serviced districts was also performed. Results: A total of 10,853 cases from 2008 to 2013 were analyzed. Among out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest patients receiving airway management, successful intubation, laryngeal mask airway, and bag‐valve‐mask ventilation was reported in 1,541, 3,099, and 6,213 cases, respectively. Compared with bag‐valve‐mask device use, successful out‐of‐hospital intubation was associated with improved chances of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66 to 2.19), survival to discharge (aOR 1.98; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.49), and favorable neurologic outcome (aOR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.03). The results were comparable in sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Conclusion: In nontrauma adult out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in Taipei, successful out‐of‐hospital intubation was associated with improved odds of sustained return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge, and favorable neurologic outcome.

Traffic Speed Estimation through Data Fusion from Heterogeneous Sources for First Response Deployment

AbstractDuring emergencies, the efficiency of first response deployment is critical. Once the assignments are decided for the distribution of first responders, the deployment efficiency for the teams to arrive at the affected zone is determined by the response time. Knowing the condition on the road network could substantially reduce the response time, in other words, increasing the transport efficiency for the deployment. On the other hand, real-time traffic data acquisition has been the core and basis of all development of advanced traffic-management systems. For the goal of measuring reliable traffic speed, the traffic data sources should generally include spot speed data received from vehicle detectors, space speed data collected by probe vehicles, and historical data to generate traffic information for main arterials within urban areas. This paper describes the fusion technique to integrate active and passive data from spot and space data for the estimation of traffic speed in emergency scenarios bas...

TDVRP and BIM Integrated Approach for In-Building Emergency Rescue Routing

AbstractRouting decisions for rescue and evacuation are critical for emergency-response missions. For infrastructures with large and complex geometric spaces, routing decisions could be facilitated with automated approaches for higher efficiency and accuracy. This research aims to respond to emergencies in buildings. In this work, network analysis is combined with building information modeling (BIM) models. Building geometry is retrieved from the BIM model for the construction of a graph, which is an essential element in network modeling. Rescue routes based on a graph can be determined depending on actual building layouts and conditions. In this paper, medial axis transform (MAT) is utilized for the graph construction from BIM models. A time-dependent vehicle routing problem (TDVRP) model is formed for the planning of rescue routes. Risk based on building materials and congestion based on pedestrian flow are to be adapted for network edge costs to enable a lowest utility route finding in the future, and ...

Ambulance Service Area Considering Disaster-Induced Disturbance on the Transportation Infrastructure

The effectiveness of emergency medical services (EMS) depends on the existing infrastructure and allocation of medical resources. The response time for ambulances is in general considered a critical factor to the survival of EMS patients. EMS is a challenging task due to the spatial distribution of the population and geographical layout in the urban area. The spatial configuration of ambulance fleets and hospitals should be assessed to provide an efficient service. Additionally, EMS plays a critical role in disaster situations. In this research, the effect of disasters is considered as the disturbance to the EMS system. The objective of this research is to assess the service area of EMS after a disaster. In this study, the deviation of service area before and after the disaster on the transportation infrastructure is evaluated. Multi-layer perceptron (MLP) was used to predict EMS demand in usual conditions, and a loss estimation tool is used to model the disaster triggered demand. Given the usual and disaster triggered EMS demand, location of ad hoc EMS facilities were determined using cluster analysis, and the reachability of the facilities to individual demand points were evaluated using service area analysis. The proposed approach serves as an assessment methodology and also a planning tool for the preparedness of future disaster occurrences.