Mobile Egress Agent for Personalized Emergency Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency warning systems are inadequate as they may be obscured, damaged, or inaccessible, fail to provide personalized evacuation instructions, and cannot account for all contingencies, especially for individuals with disabilities or those unfamiliar with the area.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communications system that determines the location of devices within a region of interest and provides two-way wireless communication to guide users through personalized evacuation routes, using a server and mobile device agent to communicate safety instructions visually or audibly, and adapt to changing situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional emergency warning systems (signs, alarms, loudspeakers) are used, then emergency alerts can be communicated to the general community, but the system fails to provide personalized evacuation instructions and cannot account for individuals with disabilities or unfamiliar areas
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs location determination and evacuation route calculation autonomously using its built-in GPS and processing capabilities, eliminating the need for complex centralized control systems while enabling personalized emergency responses
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions including location tracking, emergency alert reception, route calculation, and navigation guidance, replacing multiple separate emergency system components with a single universal device that can serve all users regardless of ability or location
2Reliability
If fixed emergency signs and prearranged evacuation plans are used, then evacuation routes can be established, but the signs may be obscured, damaged, or not available to the general public
Solution Approach 1:
The digital evacuation information is copied onto multiple mobile devices distributed among users, ensuring that if physical signs are obscured or damaged, the evacuation routes remain accessible through electronic copies on users' personal devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines evacuation routes based on real-time location data and current emergency conditions, allowing the evacuation plan to adapt to changing circumstances rather than following a fixed prearranged route
3Adaptability or versatility
If loudspeaker announcements are used, then emergency alerts can be broadcast to the general community, but the messages cannot be heard or understood by hearing impaired individuals or those who do not speak the language
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary that receives emergency alerts and translates them into accessible formats including visual displays, text messages, and language-specific translations, bridging the gap between the emergency broadcast system and diverse user needs
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency response system of a premises uses an egress agent or application installed on mobile communications devices of users to provide evacuation instructions that are specific to the location of the user. The egress agents determine the location of their device and may determine an evacuation route from premises plans stored in the device or by transmitting their location to a server and receiving evacuation instructions from the server. Tracking of the devices along the evacuation route provides continual updates as to the relevant safety of an evacuation route.