Abstract
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.
Highlights
Aerial search and rescue operations are performed to cover large areas with the intent to rapidly locate a missing person or object
The rapid image collection capabilities of Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have a huge potential in search and rescue (SAR) operations, as time is a precious resource, and reach their full potential when applied in a methodical fashion
The computer was only as slow as its computational abilities, which should be reflected in the experimental design of future research comparing computer assisted object identification with manual methods. Advances in both the quality and quantity of UAS imagery present a unique challenge to first responders performing search and rescue operations
Summary
Aerial search and rescue operations are performed to cover large areas with the intent to rapidly locate a missing person or object. UAS, in contrast, are capable of rapid deployment, and can be utilized by remote search teams to further decrease response times [4,5,6]. These capabilities allow response teams to begin searching for signs of the missing person almost immediately. The rapid image collection capabilities of UAS have a huge potential in SAR operations, as time is a precious resource, and reach their full potential when applied in a methodical fashion
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
