PLUS Conducts Field Test of ASA Concept Case
19 Aug 2014
On August 16, 2014, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS) conducted a field test of the Advanced Situation Awareness (ASA) concept case developed within the BRIDGE project over the past two years. The test was carried out in cooperation with the volunteer fire service of St. Gilgen/Löschzug Winkl and the local police in preparation for the Alpine ValEDation Days, which will take place in Salzburg, Austria, September 9-12, 2014.
BRIDGE ASA system consists of three main components: Hexacopter, Expert System, and Modelling Module. PLUS hexacopter is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with six engines, equipped with digital video (VIS) and infrared (IR) cameras, a platform with several environmental sensors, and an on-board computer, which sends the visual and environmental information collected during the flight to the ground station computer. PLUS Expert System software automatically analyses and rates the incoming data, providing expert recommendations based on national and international standards and legislation. The Modelling Module provides 3D- and 2D models of structures, forecasts dispersion of toxic plumes, and estimates the number of injured and dead in case of an explosion.
The exercise in St. Gilgen was based on a hypothetical car accident with four victims lying in the surrounding meadows. It started with a car fire, which was filmed and analyzed by the flying hexacopter. Subsequently, the exploding petrol tank of the vehicle was simulated using pyrotechnics. VIS- and IR information clearly indicated the location of all victims. Together with the environmental sensor data (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particle mass and -size), this information was the basis for the Expert System and the Modelling Module to provide advice to the Incident Commander.
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