Advanced technologies supporting flood risk prevention
SAFEDAM allows, by operating from the air, to analyse the condition of each square metre of the shaft!
Project title
Advanced technologies supporting flood risk prevention
Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries
- Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography - consortium leader
- Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute
- Astri Polska Sp. z o.o.
- MSP INNTECH Sp. z o.o.
- Central School of the State Fire Service in Częstochowa
Name of programme
DEFENCE AND SECURITY PROGRAMME
Competition
Competition for the implementation of projects in the area of scientific research and development work for national defence and security
Project value
PLN 8,586,515.00
Funding value
PLN 8,448,215.00
Project delivery period
From 22/12/2015 to 21/05/2020.
View the results of our work
Will drones and satellites help fight the effects of flooding?
What problem is addressed by the project?
There are thousands of kilometres of flood defences in Poland. Classical monitoring of their condition consists of direct geodetic measurements every few hundred metres. Meanwhile, a thorough analysis of the state of flood defences can save the lives and property of thousands of people. SAFEDAM allows, by operating from the air, to analyse the condition of each square metre of the shaft!
Spatial information and data for precise analysis of the state of flood defences are the basis of safety. Our system is revolutionising the monitoring of dikes and the coordination of rescue operations should a flood occur.
Let us explain this in more detail. The SAFEDAM project consists of preparing a system for monitoring dikes flood protection many times more detailed than in previous practice. Unmanned flying systems and aerial and satellite data are used for monitoring. Sensitive parts of embankments can be measured with an accuracy of up to several centimetres by using a laser scanner and photogrammetric data. The 3D data obtained in this way is automatically analysed under the supervision of the hydrological services and is used to create visualisations for the services of the National Fire Service and emergency management specialists. We can provide them with precise information on the state of individual pieces of security, in line with the idea that it is always best to prevent possible unfortunate events.
SAFEDAM has two configurations: prevention, i.e. acquiring data to enable continuous monitoring of flood defences, and intervention, i.e. supporting services in emergencies and during floods. The above allows the services to pinpoint where the likelihood of deterioration and danger is greatest - i.e. where intervention, both protection and rescue, is or will be needed.
Who uses the project results?
In developing our IT solutions, we have listened to the voices of practitioners involved in dike management, surveying and rescue. We are convinced that our project will be a breakthrough and will be used by PSP services and, if there is interest, even by local governments and crisis management units throughout Poland.
The geo-participation module, i.e. involving the public in flood protection, will play a large part in the system by integrating people’s mobile devices to send reports on the state of the flood banks in the country. Much more information will be able to be collected in the system. Once a flood has occurred, our system helps the services coordinate the action by showing them where the risk of a breach is greatest.
What was the greatest challenge during project implementation?
The biggest challenge in the project was meeting the requirements of the many end users - the custodians of the solution under development. Their competencies and needs were so different that we decided to create de facto two integrated system configurations with different functionalities but still integrated with each other. The development of the concept of such an interlinked module was no less a challenge than organising our own or joining the field exercises of the State Fire Service, which involved hundreds of firefighters whose work we could monitor.
Our advice for other applicants
Do not be afraid to create bold visions of innovative solutions that can receive funding from individuals in Poland.