Safety of natural disasters

Abstract

Recently, Jeddah has witnessed catastrophic events that have caused the environment pollution, detention of people in one area and the inability of people to go to other safe places. For instance, flood has caused the sinking and destruction of homes and the private properties. Also, the existence of excavation works at Jeddah streets has been the main reason for the traffic disruption and the occurrence of many traffic accidents. All these incidents have been happened because these instructions have not been given to all individuals whereas the guidance and advising means were limited to the SMS. The occurrence of such events could be prevented in case that there is a consciousness program and if the civil protection forces play its significant role in these hard times. The goal of this work which will be available for free download, will deliver real-time disaster and road constructions information and notification to users such as fires, floods, constructions. It also receives warnings and tips on how to react before, during and after the disaster, direct to mobile phones. The use of GPS technology through this application could allow location-specific information to be fed to the citizens providing them with the nearest safe location and the shortest path to get there. Moreover, it will receive Google map updates for any newly added information. In time of a trouble, the user can benefit from the knowledge-based system feature that will give him a feedback on what action the user should take upon a specific situation. The knowledge-based system was building through interview with the Experts domains. All these features will improve access to the needed information at the needed time. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.