Distributed Emergency Guiding with Evacuation Time Optimization Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

• Published in: IEEE transactions on parallel and distributed systems Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 419 - 427
• Main Authors: Chen, Lien-Wu, Cheng, Jen-Hsiang, Tseng, Yu-Chee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.02.2016; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Analytical models; Building codes; Capacity planning; Corridors; Emergencies; Emergency Guiding; Evacuation; Evacuations & rescues; Home Security; Load Balancing; Load balancing (computing); Mathematical analysis; Pervasive Computing; Planning; Remote sensors; Roads & highways; Sensors; Simulation; Stress concentration; Wireless communication; Wireless networks; Wireless Sensor Network; Wireless sensor networks; Emergency guiding; home security; load balancing; pervasive computing; wireless sensor network
• ISSN: 1045-9219; 1558-2183
• DOI: 10.1109/TPDS.2015.2500722

This paper proposes a load-balancing framework for distributed emergency guiding based on wireless sensor networks. A load-balancing guiding scheme is designed and an analytical model is derived to reduce the total evacuation time of people indoors. The guiding scheme can provide the fastest path for people to reach an exit according to the evacuation time estimated using the analytical model. Based on thorough research, this is the first distributed solution in which corridor capacity and length, exit capacity, and the concurrent movement and distribution of people are considered in estimating the evacuation time and planning escape paths. Using the proposed framework, congestion in corridors and at exits can be eased to substantially reduce the total evacuation time. Analytical and simulation results show that this approach outperforms existing schemes and can prevent people from following localoptimal guiding directions that increase the evacuation time. A prototype called the Load-balancing Emergency Guiding System (LEGS) is implemented; this system can be used to compare the evacuation times and guiding directions provided by existing schemes and the proposed scheme for various distributions of people.