Intelligent dynamic signage system for emergency situations

Project objectives

The objective of the project is to develop an intelligent, dynamic signaling system called BEACON that will guide people to safe areas within buildings in emergencies (e.g., fire, earthquake, etc.). The system will include a variety of devices: sensors (e.g., smoke, fire, oxygen, CO), panic buttons, addressable fire detection panels, emergency lighting, and announcement units. The software will incorporate Artificial Intelligence techniques, such as automatic escape route planning algorithms, so that guidance is provided intelligently and adaptively based on actual conditions.

At the European level, 90% of our time is spent inside buildings (homes, offices, hospitals, schools, etc.), and more than 90,000 people lose their lives each year due to natural disasters (e.g., fires, earthquakes), with 75% of these losses occurring indoors. The losses in building fires are staggering (e.g., in 2019, there were 481,500 fires in the US, resulting in 3,000 deaths and 14,000 injuries). Therefore, early detection and safe evacuation of buildings plays a vital role. However, current solutions on the market are based on independent safety systems with static light indicators (e.g. "green man") that are difficult to adapt to evolving scenarios (e.g., blocked exits, different mobility needs). BEACON overcomes these limitations by offering a holistic and intelligent solution that significantly increases the safety level of facilities. It is an innovative, integrated emergency signaling solution worldwide, providing high levels of safety, real-time adaptability, consideration of special needs (e.g. disabilities) and more efficient management of emergencies in multi-story buildings, airports, stations, and other public facilities.

System architecture

The BEACON architecture is structured in three distinct levels that communicate with each other. The Hardware Level includes all sensors and actuators for early hazard detection and building evacuation support. The Network Level ensures the continuous and secure flow of information between subsystems, with encryption and access control to ensure 24/7 availability without interruptions. Finally, the Software Level includes all BEACON software: programming interfaces (APIs), an interaction application for administrators and users, and an intelligent evacuation router that guides visitors to a safe exit in case of danger.

• Hardware Level: Fire detection sensors, molecular sensors (CO, oxygen, etc.), input devices (e.g., panic buttons), and digitally controlled emergency lighting.
• Network Level: Communication ports (RS-485, Modbus, etc.), connection and security protocols (encryption, user authentication) for continuous interconnection of devices with the central system and the cloud.
• Software Level: Data processing and large-scale analysis platform, web/mobile application for monitoring and management, as well as the Dijkstra algorithm (or other optimal route algorithm) for automatically finding and adjusting the safest escape routes.

Work packages

The main work packages of the project correspond to the following items:

• Hardware Level: Design and development of the hardware level of the integrated system (sensors, actuators).
• Network Level: Design and development of the communication network (system interconnection, network security).
• Application Level: Design and implementation of the system's software applications (intelligent routing algorithms, management interfaces).
• Design and Control: Design of subsystems, integration of interfaces, and testing of the proper functioning of all levels.
• Integration of the Pilot System: Integration of all subsystems into a functional pilot system and extensive acceptance/functionality testing.

Each work package is implemented by the research team in close collaboration with the industrial partner, following steps of design, development, integration, and evaluation. The deliverable technical reports cover in detail the requirements, specifications, architecture, and final demonstration of the integrated system.

Benefits and expected results

The proposed BEACON system offers multiple benefits over existing solutions:

• Optimized building crisis management: Automatically identifies the optimal escape route based on current conditions (distance, time, route safety) .
• Normalized distribution of people: Directs individual users to different exits or safe zones, avoiding congestion at critical points.
• Improved situational awareness: The solution's special visual and audible indicators attract people's attention and guide their reactions to evolving emergencies on time.
• Increased safety for vulnerable groups: The system offers customized paths and audio instructions for people with mobility impairments or vision/hearing problems, ensuring the safest possible evacuation for everyone.