Faculty Sponsor(s)
Jennifer Nordstrom
Subject Area
Mathematics
Description
In this paper, we take a look at how drones can be used to efficiently help out with the communication between firefighters on the front line of wildfires with the operations center. We also take a look at how drones can also be used to survey the land, and how the wildfire is changing, to further instruct the operations center on how to most effectively disperse firefighters to control the fire. We look at the optimal positions for the drone placement in order to stay in signal range while also covering the most area possible. Using actual data from bushfires in Victoria (Australia) in 2020, we are able to calculate how many drones will be needed by anticipating that a much bigger event than the fire in 2020 would not happen in the next decade. Taking into account factors including topography, distance, and signal type, we are able to place both Surveillance and Situational Awareness (SSA) drones and repeaters on drones to maximize the effect the drones have on the situation. The cost and the benefits of the drone are taken into consideration when we calculate how many drones we would recommend to the Country Fire Authority.
Recommended Citation
Uchiyama, Hitomi; Longbottom, Jakob Thomas; and Atkins, Kellen, "Effective Drone Usage for Wildfire Coverage in Victoria" (2021). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 32.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2021/all/32
Effective Drone Usage for Wildfire Coverage in Victoria
In this paper, we take a look at how drones can be used to efficiently help out with the communication between firefighters on the front line of wildfires with the operations center. We also take a look at how drones can also be used to survey the land, and how the wildfire is changing, to further instruct the operations center on how to most effectively disperse firefighters to control the fire. We look at the optimal positions for the drone placement in order to stay in signal range while also covering the most area possible. Using actual data from bushfires in Victoria (Australia) in 2020, we are able to calculate how many drones will be needed by anticipating that a much bigger event than the fire in 2020 would not happen in the next decade. Taking into account factors including topography, distance, and signal type, we are able to place both Surveillance and Situational Awareness (SSA) drones and repeaters on drones to maximize the effect the drones have on the situation. The cost and the benefits of the drone are taken into consideration when we calculate how many drones we would recommend to the Country Fire Authority.
