A proposed solution from Intellisense will integrate flash flood information from the proven and reliable AWARE Flood System with mobile navigation apps that are used worldwide.
The AWARE Flood System is an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based flood detection system that has proven to be invaluable for communities across the United States. Since it was first deployed in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 2019, it has transmitted water-level data to city officials and first responders via propriety networks like Mecklenburg County’s Flood Information and Notification System (FINS) or the Southeast Texas Regional Alerting and Information Network (R.A.I.N.). Soon though, the AWARE Flood System could provide this data right to people’s phones through mobile navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps.
With funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the Department of Homeland Security’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, Intellisense won a contract to develop a system that would disseminate real-time flash flood information to communities via mobile apps. With data from the AWARE Flood System, apps that use real-time traffic information can suggest new routes and direct users around these hazards. This system will ingest data from the AWARE Flood System and automatically generate alerts in flooded areas. It will also disseminate hazard data to FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), which then issues alerts via radio and TV, as well as sends push notifications directly to mobile phones in the affected area.
This proposed solution aligns with NOAA’s mission to prepare the nation for extreme weather, with objectives geared toward reducing loss of life, property, and disruption from high-impact events. The organization seeks to improve transportation efficiency and safety when exposed to sudden hazards like flooding. These improvements should improve the travel experiences for millions of Americans and remedy potential supply chain obstacles.
The AWARE Flood System collects, processes, and transmits data from a single, wireless unit that can be installed or mounted on nearly any existing infrastructure. Thanks to its IoT connectivity, the system can readily integrate with proprietary or regional networks in cities across the United States. The engineers at Intellisense are now devising ways to get that information directly into people’s hands around the world.