Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue Operations
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are increasingly being used in search and rescue (SAR) operations to assist in the discovery of missing persons. UAS are useful to first responders in SAR operations due to rapid deployment, high data volume, and high spatial resolution data collection capabilities. Rel...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Drones |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/4/3/38 |
| _version_ | 1797561520991764480 |
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| author | William T. Weldon Joseph Hupy |
| author_facet | William T. Weldon Joseph Hupy |
| author_sort | William T. Weldon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are increasingly being used in search and rescue (SAR) operations to assist in the discovery of missing persons. UAS are useful to first responders in SAR operations due to rapid deployment, high data volume, and high spatial resolution data collection capabilities. Relying on traditional manual interpretation methods to find a missing person in imagery data sets containing several hundred images is both challenging and time consuming. To better find small signs of missing persons in large UAS datasets, computer assisted interpretation methods have been developed. This article presents the results of an initial evaluation of a computer assisted interpretation method tested against manual methods in a simulated SAR operation. The evaluation performed focused on using resources available to first responders performing SAR operations, specifically: RGB data, volunteers, and a commercially available software program. Results from this field test were mixed, as the traditional group discovered more objects but required more time, in man hours, to discover the objects. Further field experiments, based on the capabilities of current first responder groups, should be conducted to determine to what extent computer assisted methods are useful in SAR operations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:15:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8288285b3dac423bad695938ab74f5cf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:15:05Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj.art-8288285b3dac423bad695938ab74f5cf2023-11-20T07:47:05ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2020-07-01433810.3390/drones4030038Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue OperationsWilliam T. Weldon0Joseph Hupy1School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USASchool of Aviation and Transportation Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USAUnmanned aerial systems (UAS) are increasingly being used in search and rescue (SAR) operations to assist in the discovery of missing persons. UAS are useful to first responders in SAR operations due to rapid deployment, high data volume, and high spatial resolution data collection capabilities. Relying on traditional manual interpretation methods to find a missing person in imagery data sets containing several hundred images is both challenging and time consuming. To better find small signs of missing persons in large UAS datasets, computer assisted interpretation methods have been developed. This article presents the results of an initial evaluation of a computer assisted interpretation method tested against manual methods in a simulated SAR operation. The evaluation performed focused on using resources available to first responders performing SAR operations, specifically: RGB data, volunteers, and a commercially available software program. Results from this field test were mixed, as the traditional group discovered more objects but required more time, in man hours, to discover the objects. Further field experiments, based on the capabilities of current first responder groups, should be conducted to determine to what extent computer assisted methods are useful in SAR operations.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/4/3/38unmanned aerial systemssearch and rescueoperationscolor spectrumaerial imagery |
| spellingShingle | William T. Weldon Joseph Hupy Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue Operations Drones unmanned aerial systems search and rescue operations color spectrum aerial imagery |
| title | Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue Operations |
| title_full | Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue Operations |
| title_fullStr | Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue Operations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue Operations |
| title_short | Investigating Methods for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems in Search and Rescue Operations |
| title_sort | investigating methods for integrating unmanned aerial systems in search and rescue operations |
| topic | unmanned aerial systems search and rescue operations color spectrum aerial imagery |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/4/3/38 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT williamtweldon investigatingmethodsforintegratingunmannedaerialsystemsinsearchandrescueoperations AT josephhupy investigatingmethodsforintegratingunmannedaerialsystemsinsearchandrescueoperations |