RISES

RISES („Role-based Information Management System for Emergency Services“) is a third-party funded research project. Within the scope of this project, the FSR is investigating the technical possibilities of modern command and control systems with the aim of supplying, processing and presenting relevant information for emergency services.

Role and level-based information

Emergency response teams have to perform various tasks in a dangerous, sometimes life-threatening environment. Leaders in particular should use the available information to assess a complex scenario and quickly make important decisions. A demonstrator was set up for the investigations, which makes role- and level-based information available to its users. In this context, role-based means that the relevant response force receives only the information it needs to fulfill its specific task (role) in the overall scenario. Level-based means the management level in which the task force is integrated. Roles from different leadership levels have a different view of the overall scenario, and thus also a different level of information representation. Especially in stressful situations, filtering of the displayed information for a specific role helps to improve workload and situation awareness.

Platform-independent networking using mobile devices

In addition to the visualization and role-based information filtering, networking of the persons involved with the help of an independent communication infrastructure via distributed systems is an important aspect. The use of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones enables simple mobile access to a command and control system, but also places high demands on display design and workflow of an operation. In order to enable platform-independent access to the system, a web-based backend architecture is used. It enables users to access the system quickly via standard browsers on the end device.

Service-oriented software architecture and multi-layer model for data access

Information is accessed via a four-level model. The strictly separated layers make it easy to implement information filters. Information management and object model are based on a service-oriented structure, which enables precise and simple data access and control. Further advantages are the fact that no separate software has to be installed on the mobile devices.

RPAS Link

Another important area of interest is the connection and use of RPAS (Remotly Piloted Aircraft System) to the command and control system. The focus here is on integrating autonomous systems into the command and control process. For example, continuous, airborne monitoring and reconnaissance of large-scale areas significantly contributes to the precise identification of the situation and thus helps to improve decision quality at all command levels. Investigations on possibilities of a simple and user-friendly control system should make RPAS systems accessible to a wide group of users and reduce training processes. The developed network of distributed systems ensures efficient and flexible data exchange between users, unmanned aircraft and mobile ground stations. Mobile devices enable users to quickly access information that is prepared and displayed according to their specific role in the scenario. Further research goals are the support of mission planning and the interaction of human and machine in the scenario context.

Evaluation (demonstrator)

The main objective of the demonstrator is to show technical realisability and to discuss the concept in dialogues with potential users. An evaluation of the operational processes, as well as individual displays and dialogs are in the center of interest.