Towards Operational Systems for Continuous Navigation of Rescue Teams

Kurzfassung

Self-protection is of rescue teams has absolute priority over all other objectives. Nevertheless rescue workers, such as fire fighters often face conditions that impose a combination of threats on them: severe physical and mental stress, limited or no visibility, unknown layout of buildings may induce disorientation, which, in combination with excessive heat, toxic gases, fumes or other substances, can turn a rescue operation into a tragedy. Obviously, a system capable of continuously locating all members of a rescue team could help a rescue worker to maintain orientation, and in cases of accidents, help other team members or operations controllers to localize colleagues in danger. Several research projects, primarily in the fields of wearable computing and indoor navigation, have taken the described application as their reference case. However, few operational systems have been fielded or have undergone sustained usage. In this paper we will show, that a successful operational system for continuous navigation of rescue teams can hardly be based on one sensor alone, but requires a combination of several sensors, motion models, computing, communication means, and human machine interfaces. Based on an analysis of rescue operations and interviews with rescue workers we will derive and present a comprehensive list of mandatory requirements that have to be met by any system that aims to become operational. We will use this list to pinpoint the shortcomings of systems that are "single sensor" (GNSS, UWB, INS), neglect initialization, lack reliable communication means for difficult channels or fail to adequately present the information to rescuers or controllers. We will then outline a reference architecture for an operational system for continuous navigation of rescue teams and discuss its implementation and feasibility aspects. We will show in how far the required technological components are available and affordable and where shortcomings have to be resolved by future research and development. We hope that our findings can contribute to guideline the future research in fields, such as motion modeling, sensor fusion or location visualization, towards advances that, eventually, will lead to operational systems that will improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of rescue workers.