Selected Aspects of Crisis Management with the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) on the Example of a Traffic Disaster

Abstract

Purpose: The theoretical aim of this study was to present the impact of modern technologies on the improvement of the effectiveness of process activ- ities (documenting) at the site of a communication disaster. On the other hand, the utilitarian goal was to present the improvement of the organization of documenting a mass incident with the use of drones and photogrammetry tools. Design and methods: As part of the exercise consisting of a simulation of a communication disaster, the activities were documented using the func - tionality of unmanned aerial vehicles which interact with an IT system (Pix4D application). The characteristic drone models which can be used in the monitoring of a disaster site were presented. The discussed research approach describes the methods used to perform drone flights and to what extent the photogrammetric method of processing digital images obtained from drones was used. The issue of field measurements (control points, control lines), the purpose of which was to determine the accuracy of mapping and matching to the coordinate system, was discussed. Results: As part of the research, images were captured and taken with the use of UAVs and IT systems, which were collated and compared with the results of measurements from the visual inspection of the disaster site, performed in a traditional manner by the representatives of the procedural entity. A comparative analysis of the collected research material leading to a comparison of the work results captured by means of the traditional procedural forms with the methods and techniques of modern technologies (drone with the Pix4D Cloud application) allows for the following conclusions to be drawn. For short measuring sections (up to 15 meters), the measurement accuracy of the two methods differs by about 1.5%. For longer measuring sections (up to 100 m), the measurement error is approx. 2.3%. Conclusions: In case of the UAV method and the application Pix4D Cloud, the sources of measurement errors should be seen in the accuracy of rendering of the details of the model (the quality of imaging) and the ability to use this application. On the other hand, when using the police method, in which the measurement trolley is the measuring tool, the sources of error should be seen in the uneven terrain, the obstacles in the terrain, and the measurement error of the tool itself (the trolley). The innovation of the project to use UAVs certainly gains importance especially in a terrain with limited accessibility, i.e. in hilly and mountainous terrain, at road intersections or forks.

Keywords

• communication disaster
• modern technologies
• crisis management