Delay tolerant network for disaster information transmission in challenged network environment

Abstract

After the East Japan great earthquake on March 11, 2011, many Japanese coastal resident areas were isolated from other because of destruction of information infrastructure, disconnection of communication network and excessive traffic congestion. The undelivered disaster information influenced the speed of evacuation, rescue of injured residents, and sending life-support materials to evacuation shelters. From the experience of such disaster, more robust and resilient networks are strongly required, particularly for preparation of large scale disasters. In this paper, in order to respond to those problems, we introduce Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) for disaster information transmission application in challenged network environment. Message delivery by transport vehicles such as cars between disaster-response headquarter and evacuation shelters in challenged network environment is considered. Aimproved message delivery method combined with DTN protocols and cognitive wireless network is explained. The computer simulation for the actual rural area in Japan is made to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of proposed method.