Last-Mile Hazard Warning System in Sri Lanka : performance of WorldSpace Addressable Satellite Radios for Emergency Alerts

Abstract

The WorldSpace Addressable Radios for Emergency Alerts (AREA) was developed to improve the “situational awareness” of all-hazards for communities at risk. The solution was field tested in Sri Lanka for the first time as part of the Last-Mile Hazard Warning System (HazInfo) research project. The HazInfo project realized that early warning via Information Communication Technology (ICT) had to be a point-to-multi-point application and was best accommodated by Information Communication Technologies [5]. The HazInfo Project further recognized the growing call for the use of a globally accepted content standard: Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for all-hazards, all-media alert and notification. AREA satellite broadcast system adopts CAP version 1.1. HazInfo project established last-mile networking capability with the AREA sets for 16 tsunami-affected villages and 34 District Centers in Sri Lanka in order to study the suitability for a standards-based community hazard information system. Specific measures were devised to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the technology. Initial field tests indicate that core alerting functions need to be strengthened to improve reliability and usability, but, overall, WorldSpace delivery of alert can serve as a key component in a regional last-mile alerting system. The objective of the scoring system was not to decide whether the technology was a winner but to find out how it can be improved to perform reliably and effectively in the difficult conditions of rural Sri Lanka.