Standardised geo-sensor webs and web-based geo-processing for near real-time situational awareness in emergency management

Abstract

Up-to-date, accurate, and reliable information is fundamental for time-critical decision support and sustainable emergency management. In this paper, we show how standardised geo-sensor webs, in combination with web-based geo-processing, can enhance efficiency in emergency response and management, demonstrated in the field of radiation safety. We focus on end user and information requirements and show how ‘live’ spatial-temporal analysis results of near real-time and mobile radioactive radiation sensor measurements can enhance the situational awareness of rescue forces for near real-time decision support. We validated our approach technically and methodologically through a radiation safety exercise. The end user feedback confirmed that this ‘live’ workflow can enhance the decision support and the emergency information management through near real-time situation awareness during and after a damaging event.