Wireless Sensor Networks for Optimisation of Search and Rescue Management in Floods

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel aerial wireless sensor network system for flood search-and-rescue operations, improving victim detection and communication efficiency to enhance rescue efforts and save lives.

Contribution

It presents a new flood-specific WSN deployment method with a modified LEACH protocol for better efficiency and long-distance communication.

Findings

Enhanced detection of human presence via heat signatures.

Improved communication efficiency with modified LEACH protocol.

Simulation results show better network performance compared to existing protocols.

Abstract

We propose a novel search-and-rescue management method that relies on the aerial deployment of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) for locating victims after floods. The sensor nodes will collect vital information such as heat signatures for detecting human presence and location, the flow of flood. The sensor modules are packed in a portable floating buoy with a user interface to convey emergency messages to the base station. Sensor nodes are designed based on disaster conditions, cost-effectiveness and deployed in the affected region by a centrifugal dispersion system from a helicopter. A mobile ad-hoc network is set up by modifying the Low Energy Adaptive Cluster Hierarchy (LEACH) protocol for greater efficiency and adoption of multi-hop of Cluster Heads for long-distance communication to Base Station. The model metrics have been defined considering previous rural floods in India. The efficiency and power characteristics of the network are compared to other protocols via simulations. The sensor data from the network makes resource management, rescue planning and emergency priority more efficient, thus saving more lives from floods.