Jeong and Jung (2024) researched the prediction of roads that can pass in narrow alleys using ultrasonic sensors. They focused on developing a system to improve emergency response time in South Korea by utilizing ultrasonic sensors integrated into personal devices to measure the width of narrow alleys. The system aims to overcome the challenges posed by obstacles such as illegally constructed buildings, improperly parked vehicles, and other road topography complexities, which can hinder the timely arrival of emergency vehicles. The system’s accuracy was demonstrated through experiments within 1 meter in front of narrow alleys with widths varying between 270 cm and 450 cm, achieving accuracy within a 5 cm margin of error. This level of accuracy allows real-time assessment of whether an emergency vehicle can pass through by identifying the narrowest point in the alley.
What are the potential applications of the proposed system other than emergency response?
The proposed system using ultrasonic sensors to measure the width of narrow alleys has potential applications other than to improve emergency response time. Some of these applications include:
- Smart navigation systems: the system can be integrated into smart navigation systems to provide real-time information to drivers about the width of alleys so that they can plan routes more effectively and avoid congestion or narrow streets.
- Autonomous vehicles: ultrasonic sensors can be used in autonomous vehicles to detect and adapt to alley widths, ensuring safe and efficient navigation through densely populated areas.
- Infrastructure planning and maintenance: the system can assist in infrastructure planning and maintenance by providing accurate measurements of alley widths, enabling more efficient resource allocation for urban development and infrastructure upgrades.
- Accessibility and mobility: the system can be used to assess the accessibility of alleys for people with disabilities, helping to identify areas that require modifications to improve mobility and accessibility.
- Urban planning and development: the system can inform urban planning decisions by providing data on alley widths, helping to optimize design, and urban development to accommodate the needs of emergency services, pedestrians, and vehicles.
- Environmental monitoring: the system can be used to monitor environmental factors such as air quality, noise pollution, or waste management in alleys, providing valuable insights for urban planning and environmental management.
- Security and surveillance: these systems can be integrated with security cameras to enhance surveillance capabilities in alleys, help prevent crime, and improve public safety.
- Tourism and navigation: the system can be used to provide information to tourists about alley widths, helping them navigate through densely populated areas and find hidden gems.
- Logistics and delivery: the system can assist logistics and delivery services by providing real-time information on alley widths, enabling more efficient and effective delivery operations.
- Research and development: the system can be used as a platform for research in areas such as sensor technology, urban planning, and emergency response, contributing to innovative solutions to urban challenges.
These applications demonstrate the potential of the proposed system to have a broader impact on various aspects of urban life, going beyond emergency response times to improve the overall quality of life in densely populated areas.
Determining the possibility of passage through narrow alleys using ultrasonic sensors
Yeonchang Jeong, Im Y. Jung
The complex road topography of South Korea presents significant challenges to the timely arrival of emergency vehicles. Compounding the issue, obstacles such as legally or illicitly constructed structures, and improperly parked or stationary vehicles, frequently obstruct the path of emergency vehicles. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel system aimed at enhancing emergency response times. The system employs ultrasonic sensors that can be integrated into personal devices to measure the width of the numerous narrow alleys prevalent in Korea’s densely populated regions. Experiments demonstrate that within a 1-meter range in front of a narrow alley with widths varying between 270 cm and 450 cm where vehicle maneuvering is possible, it’s possible to accurately gauge the width using two ultrasonic sensors, achieving a precision within a 5 cm margin of error. This level of accuracy enables the practical assessment of whether emergency vehicles can access the area in real-time by identifying the alley’s narrowest point. The proposed system is a cost-effective method using easy-to-buy devices for augmenting emergency preparedness and enhancing emergency response times by ensuring that emergency vehicles can navigate through alleys, thereby fostering a safer living environment.
Reference: Y. Jeong and I. Y. Jung, “Determining the possibility of passage through narrow alleys using ultrasonic sensors,” International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences (IJAAS), vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 419–419, Jun. 2024, doi: 10.11591/ijaas.v13.i2.pp419-428.
By: I. Busthomi