Consideration on Propagation of Disaster Information Among Different Types of Terminals for Grass-Roots Information Distribution System Using MANET

Abstract

It is important to promptly inform local residents about information on disasters such as sediment disasters and make evacuation quickly. In this research, we are developing the Grass-roots Information Distribution System is using mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) that local residents autonomously predict the occurrence of the disasters and its occurrence and promptly propagate disaster information. In the Grass-roots Information Distribution System, mobile terminals such as smartphones owned by local residents are used, and MANET is constructed using the Bluetooth communication function installed in those terminals. In an event of large-scale disaster such as a sediment disaster in which public communication services such as a cellular phone service are disrupted, the Grass-roots Information Distribution System notifies local residents of disaster information and evacuation information via MANET. Even if the public communication services are suspended, it is possible to propagate disaster information and evacuation information to be notified to local residents through MANET. The Grass-roots Information Distribution System aims to minimize human injury due to disasters by local residents evacuating promptly. However, some local residents, such as elderly people and children, who do not own smartphones, there is a possibility that they are not able to receive disaster information and evacuation information promptly. We are developing prototype dedicated terminals so that these residents can participate in the grassroots disaster information propagation system. In this paper, we report the development of the dedicated terminals and consideration on the propagation of disaster information in MANET constructed by smartphones and dedicated terminals.