Flood Node: IoT-enabled predictive flood warning system
Powered by the Cisco Catalyst IR1101 Rugged Series Router, Flood Node combines IoT technologies with flood data and mapping to create predictive flood warning systems, informing road users of not only the current flood levels for a section of road, with high visibility flashing LED lights, but also the predicted flood levels, providing a clear and easily understood early warning system that due to its digital nature, can be integrated into smartphone navigation and traffic apps, further increasing its effectiveness.
Safer roads
Predictive flood warning systems can improve public safety and enable people to make informed decisions based on predictions and warnings. If it was clearly communicated to road users, with a high level of accuracy based on mapping and flood data modelling, that water levels for their route are expected to be dangerously high in the next 4 or 8 hours, they can make an informed decision to either continue their journey (if there are alternatives) or turn around, reducing the number of road users caught out in flooding scenarios.
Increasing data points
As a connected, IoT smart flood level solution, the data collected by individual Flood Nodes can feed into modelling intelligence, further increasing the accuracy of predictions for surrounding areas. The current and predictive readings can also integrate into smartphone navigation and traffic apps, alerting users to current and expected flood levels, and enabling the applications to create safer routes for users.
High visibility alerts
Flood Node fulfils the expected requirements of a flood warning system, with high visibility flashing LED lights to alert drivers to flooded roads. The warning system is automated, turning on when the sensor is activated, immediately informing drivers not to proceed.
Improved resource allocation
The real-time monitoring of water levels through the Flood Node sensor removes the need for ground crews to visually check roads to see if water is covering them, and enables crews to be sent to locations that are requiring action. Once water recedes, teams can be sent to specific locations to check pavement, remove debris and ensure the road is safe to open.