Fire Apparatus Readiness Scoring via Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional response vehicles lack specificity in alerting operators to defective components and only notify of vehicle subsystem issues, failing to inform emergency personnel of the readiness of both vehicle subsystems and emergency response equipment, which is crucial for effective operation in urgent situations.
Innovation Solution
A readiness determination system that includes sensors to monitor fluid levels, fault data, maintenance, and exercise data, and a processing circuit to calculate an overall readiness score, displayed through a graphical user interface, allowing operators to assess the readiness of fire apparatuses and their equipment remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional onboard warning systems are used, then the operator is notified of vehicle subsystem deficiencies, but the notification lacks specificity about particular defective components and does not include emergency response equipment status
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the readiness assessment into multiple distinct components: vehicle subsystem status (engine, transmission, brakes), emergency response equipment status (hoses, axes, compressed air tanks, water tanks), fluid levels, and maintenance status. Each segment is monitored and displayed separately in the readiness report, providing comprehensive yet organized information without overwhelming complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The external computing system performs multiple functions: it receives data from various sensors across different vehicle subsystems, processes readiness information for both vehicle and emergency equipment, generates comprehensive reports, and transmits them to user devices. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems
2Loss of time
If traditional onboard warning systems are used, then the operator is notified of vehicle issues, but only after entering the vehicle in urgent circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs readiness assessment actions in advance by continuously monitoring vehicle and equipment status before emergency situations arise. The external computing system processes data and generates readiness reports beforehand, allowing operators to review vehicle and equipment status on user devices before needing to respond to emergencies, eliminating the need for last-minute inspections
Solution Approach 2:
The external computing system acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's sensor network and the operator's user device. It collects data from multiple sources, processes the information, and delivers formatted readiness reports to the operator's mobile device, enabling convenient remote access to comprehensive vehicle and equipment status without requiring the operator to be physically present in the vehicle
3Reliability
If traditional warning systems are used, then vehicle subsystem status is monitored, but emergency response equipment readiness is not assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the monitoring of vehicle subsystems (engine, transmission, brakes) with emergency response equipment status (hoses, axes, compressed air tanks, water tanks, fluid levels) into a single integrated readiness assessment. The external computing system processes both types of data together and presents them in one comprehensive report, ensuring complete readiness evaluation while managing complexity through unified processing
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes acquiring fluid level data indicating a fluid level within a fluid tank of a respective fire apparatus, acquiring fault data indicating any active faults with components of the respective fire apparatus, acquiring maintenance data indicating whether maintenance is due or overdue for the respective fire apparatus, acquiring exercise data indicating an elapsed time since the respective fire apparatus was last exercised, determining an overall readiness score for the respective fire apparatus based on the fluid level data, the fault data, the maintenance data, and the exercise data, and generating a graphical user interface including (i) a readiness factor section listing a plurality of readiness factors having an associated status or value based on the fluid level data, the fault data, the maintenance data, and the exercise data and (ii) a readiness score section providing a background indicator and the overall readiness score displayed over the background indicator.