Opportunities and challenges for configurable sensor networks for enabling effective fire-in-tunnel response

Recent fires and resulting casualties in major road tunnels have highlighted the need for both better safety precautions and the need for a more effective emergency response during an incident. More complete, accurate and relevant information during an incident can increase the effectiveness of the response by the emergency team. Although traditional sensor networks (eg those detecting smoke or fire or enabling data transmission) can help supply information, they may be susceptible to damage and are relatively inflexible. The dynamic reconfiguration of sensor networks provides an opportunity to increase the quality of the information environment at a fire in tunnel (or other disaster) situation. This reconfiguration can include: switching between wired and wireless links to mitigate physical network damage; repurposing of sensor nodes to change what they sense or how quickly they report; introduction of new mobile gateways for self repair of network damage; and the integration of multiple mobile sensor networks (eg personal sensors worn by emergency crew, or those introduced by autonomous robots).