Proposal of ontology for resource matchmaking schema in emergency response systems

Abstract

In an emergency response system (ERS), resource matchmaking schema (RMS) consists of emergency impact assessment, resource utility classification and mapping between impact and utility. These tasks serve the resource allocation and must be done before launching rescue activities. However, related concepts and relations have little explication. Consequently, an adequate knowledge structure is necessary. In this paper, a domain ontology for RMS (RMS-Ontology) is formally defined, on which impact-utility mapping is implemented. Based on it, we illustrate how RMS works in the ERS application of highway network under severe weather conditions. Finally, a prototype system has been developed to facilitate knowledge management and to improve the performance of emergency disposal procedures. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.