HELP

Enhanced Communications in Emergencies by Creating and Exploiting Synergies in Composite Radio Systems

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Wireless communications technologies play an irreplaceable role in emergency and disaster relief scenarios. Nevertheless, it is generally acknowledged that existing wireless communication networks frequently fall short of meeting users’ needs and cannot properly support the management of these critical situations. Project HELP will establish a comprehensive solution framework for supporting public safety communications aspiring to significantly enhance the communication resilience and responsiveness in emergency situations. The envisioned solution framework consists of significantly strengthen the role and commitment of commercial wireless infrastructures in the provision of public safety communications, especially in the case of aftermath crisis scenarios where the exceptional traffic demand can exceed the capacity and coverage provided by any single infrastructure. Only a solution framework targeted to create and exploit synergies of composite radio systems encompassing commercial and PMR networking technologies can address the complex requirements of modern emergency and disaster relief communications. Project HELP will define and establish the foundations for the development of network and spectrum sharing concepts between networks by identifying outstanding technical advances with respect to current state-of-the art. Project HELP will identify the key features and functional building blocks of the operations and management system needed to achieve a synergic and holistic operation of the composite radio systems. Project HELP dissemination plan is strongly committed towards the achievement of a qualified wide awareness and support of relevant end users, European industry and research community. It is expected that the resulting solution framework will firmly constitute a solid basis and establish a clear roadmap to drive future research activities, in particular, throughout the development of a large scale phase II demonstration project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

When a disaster strikes, emergency crews must communicate seamlessly with each other and with their superiors. An EU initiative proposed a new communication system to enhance disaster management.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Ever since the advent of wireless radio communication, emergency crews have been able to respond more quickly to hazards and disasters. Yet despite major advances, communication systems still fall short in many situations as they lack interoperability, become easily overloaded in emergencies and often fail to support crucial broadband data transfer. The EU-funded http://fp7-sec-help.upc.edu/ (HELP) (Enhanced communications in emergencies by creating and exploiting synergies in composite radio systems) project sought to overcome these limitations.

HELP created an advanced wireless system for disaster relief based on convergence of different technologies, to be used particularly in the immediate aftermath of a crisis situation. After studying operational scenarios and deriving user requirements, it outlined system needs such as interoperability, networking and security. The team defined relevant concepts such as network sharing and spectrum sharing.

After defining the concept and its technical implications, HELP articulated a framework to manage the emergency network. Project partners conducted a feasibility study on the framework based on various management levels and principles.

The project carried out an analysis to understand the economic effects of the technical solutions on relevant actors such as administrations and network operators. This led to recommendations for new business models.

Project members fine-tuned the proposed solution to achieve better public safety communications by defining a roadmap. They also implemented a targeted dissemination campaign to gain the awareness and support of European industry, the research community and end users. To this effect, links were established with regulatory and standardisation organisations, relevant EU bodies and related EU-funded initiatives. Two workshops were also organised to present project outcomes and developments.

HELP created a comprehensive solution to support public safety communications and radically improve communication resilience and responsiveness in emergency situations.