Skip to main content
ICTD 2024 Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
ViewAttendees 3

IPOD Abstract for presentation (Poster or Podium)

Uncrewed Aerial Systems

1663711 - Enhancing Intelligent Traffic Systems for Evacuation Management through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Sunday, June 16, 2024
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM ET
Room: 215

    Primary Author(s)

  • Guanhao Xu, PhD (he/him/his)

    Advanced Mobility R&D Staff
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    Knoxville, TN, United States

    • Presenter(s)

  • Guanhao Xu, PhD (he/him/his)

    Advanced Mobility R&D Staff
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    Knoxville, TN, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • ZW

    Zejiang Wang, n/a

    R&D Associate Staff
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

    • Presenter(s)

  • ZW

    Zejiang Wang, n/a

    R&D Associate Staff
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JC

    Jianfei Chen, n/a

    R&D Associate Staff
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

    • Presenter(s)

  • JC

    Jianfei Chen, n/a

    R&D Associate Staff
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

    • Submitter(s)

  • Guanhao Xu, PhD (he/him/his)

    Advanced Mobility R&D Staff
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    Knoxville, TN, United States

Abstract: The escalating intensity and frequency of global catastrophic occurrences emphasize the urgent need for fast and efficient evacuation strategies. The evacuation process is inherently complex, characterized by an array of challenges encompassing determining optimal evacuation routes, managing mixed traffic with vehicles and pedestrians, and maintaining effective communication for essential information dissemination. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) have emerged as powerful tools to address these challenges by integrating advanced sensing, decision-making, and guidance together. Nevertheless, limitations in sensor coverage and communication infrastructure pose a challenge to the implementation of ITS in emergency evacuation scenarios. A recent and popular emerging technology, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), holds the potential to overcome these obstacles. UAV, equipped with advanced sensors and communication capabilities, can efficiently provide real-time information that helps accelerate the emergency evacuation process. This paper emphasizes the significance of UAV in enhancing the efficiency of emergency evacuations, particularly in mixed traffic conditions. The study first examines the current state of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) implementation in emergency evacuation, identifying gaps and potential areas for improvement. Subsequently, the potential integration of ITS with UAV was explored, showcasing how UAV can contribute to emergency evacuation efforts in multiple ways. A microscopic traffic simulation in Aimsun was then conducted to illustrate the substantial reduction in overall evacuation time achieved through strategic UAV deployment. The simulation results highlight the significant potential of UAV in strengthening emergency evacuation strategies and improving public safety.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to analyze and identify gaps in current ITS implementation in emergency evacuations.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to evaluate the integration of UAVs in emergency evacuation scenarios.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to apply knowledge of UAV technology for developing evacuation strategies.