Post-Disaster Resource Management using Peer-to-Peer Opportunistic Networks

Abstract

During large-scale disasters, it is often found that services that are relied for everyday communications become non- functional. This becomes a barrier and a key challenge in effective transmission of information related to the disaster through electronic media in executing relief operations. In these situations, portable devices like the smart phones come in handy and are effective in storing offline information during post disaster management operations. Effective utilization of these mobile databases through coordination will provide a platform for executing disaster relief operations. In this paper, we have proposed a scheme in which a virtual opportunistic network is formed by these mobile agents, that effectively addresses the resource management and post disaster relief operations. Through direct and indirect coordination between agents in those situations, different static nodes in an area will become aware of the geographical location of other nodes. Aggregation of such structured data from various parts of the region at a centralized point gives a realistic picture of the situation, and thus sending resources and medical aid to a node becomes far more effective. Furthermore, even if network connectivity is detected in a region, structured information stored in the smart phone can easily be updated to the internet which adds to the advantage of the scheme as well. To achieve this we have simulated the working environment of a post disaster scenario with static nodes (where affected victims take shelter) and volunteers which performs different tasks. The performance evaluation results establish the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.