Real-time E9-1-1 Notification of Potentially Hazardous Airborne Conditions through In-Vehicle Telematics
An E9-1-1 In-Vehicle Telematics Geographic Information System (GIS) for detecting potentially hazardous airborne conditions and notifying Public Safety Answering Points of the condition has been developed in response to a proof of concept request by Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network (GHC). Led by Intrado Inc., in conjunction with Ford Motor Company, eLutions Inc., Cross Country Automotive Services Inc. (CCAS), the University of Houston Institute for Multi-dimensional Air Quality Studies (IMAQS), Trinity Consultants Inc., and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the system shall be combined with an outbound calling platform enabling the notification and evacuation of potentially effected rural and urban communities.
Livernois Vehicle Development, under the auspice of Ford Motor Company, developed a vehicle-level architecture incorporating nuclear, biological, and chemical sensing; automatic collision notification; and bi-directional data and wireless voice communications. Concept systems were installed in 270 police vehicles throughout Greater Harris County, of which 30 vehicles included sensors for detecting CO2. Vehicle readings containing latitude, longitude, and chemical sensor data taken every five minute were transmitted via eLutions wireless network to CCAS, interpreted, and then forwarded to Intrados Emergency Call Relay Center.
Intrado, in collaboration with IMAQS, Trinity Consultants, and NCAR, contributed a real-time GIS for predicting CO2 dispersion and notifying first responders of potentially hazardous conditions. The dispersion or nowcast model is calculated using Trinitys modified SLAB algorithm and forecast weather information collected by IMAQS. The first responder notification includes a digital base map created using ESRI ArcGIS Server technologies that describes police vehicle location and CO2 release. The police vehicle was assumed to be the point source, rural and urban topologies were not considered in the concept solution.
