Title: Standardised geo-sensor webs and web-based geo-processing for near real-time situational awareness in emergency management

Authors: Guenther Sagl; Bernd Resch; Manfred Mittlboeck; Barbara Hochwimmer; Michael Lippautz; Cornelius Roth

Addresses: Studio iSPACE, Research Studios Austria – RSA, Schillerstrasse 25, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ' Studio iSPACE, Research Studios Austria – RSA, Schillerstrasse 25, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ' Studio iSPACE, Research Studios Austria – RSA, Schillerstrasse 25, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ' Studio iSPACE, Research Studios Austria – RSA, Schillerstrasse 25, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ' Studio iSPACE, Research Studios Austria – RSA, Schillerstrasse 25, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ' Centre of Geoinformatics, University of Salzburg, Schillerstrasse 30, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Abstract: Up-to-date, accurate, and reliable information is fundamental for time-critical decision support and sustainable emergency management. In this paper, we show how standardised geo-sensor webs, in combination with web-based geo-processing, can enhance efficiency in emergency response and management, demonstrated in the field of radiation safety. We focus on end user and information requirements and show how 'live' spatial-temporal analysis results of near real-time and mobile radioactive radiation sensor measurements can enhance the situational awareness of rescue forces for near real-time decision support. We validated our approach technically and methodologically through a radiation safety exercise. The end user feedback confirmed that this 'live' workflow can enhance the decision support and the emergency information management through near real-time situation awareness during and after a damaging event.

Keywords: situational awareness; spatial-temporal awareness; live analysis; near real-time sensor data; decision support; emergency management; common operational picture; COP; standardised sensor web; web-based geo-processing; time-critical decisions; radiation safety; radioactive measurement; information management; simulation; satellite crash; unplanned re-entry; nuclear reactor powered satellites; emergency response.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2012.051869

International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management, 2012 Vol.3 No.4, pp.339 - 358

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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