Evacuation and smart exit sign system

Abstract

Smart systems based on the Internet of things are being successfully applied in multiple sectors. In this work, the application of the Internet of things to emergency evacuation systems will be tackled. Fixed direction signs represent the current practice in identifying evacuation paths, but they can be misleading or lead evacuees to unsafe areas. Smart evacuation systems can overcome all these issues and allow the shortest and safest path to be determined based on the real time data gathered from sensors. A description of the proposed algorithm is presented. The communication between the different devices and exchange of information are of crucial importance in real-time operations. A reliable evacuation algorithm has to consider if an escape route is no longer usable and promptly provide an alternative path. The evacuees are guided by “smart exit signs” which can change their direction dynamically. Simultaneously, more precise and accurate data is available for the rescuers to ensure a more effective intervention.