COLLARIS - Overview of currently used auxiliary systems and available capabilities, including common practices: assessment and recommendations for future use in civil protection and disaster management

An auxiliary support system for UAS can be anything that is added to the UAS and that helps in its operability. This report focusses mainly on different sensors as well as delivery platforms that are of use in disaster management: visual RGB-cameras, thermal imaging (or infrared) cameras, multispectral cameras, laser scanners / LiDAR, radars, chemical sensors, search lights, microphones, loudspeakers, delivery platforms, and RTK base stations.

RGB-cameras are usually sold as a part of commercial UAS and are used as “the eye in the sky” in the different phases of disaster management. The photos or videos the cameras produce aid situation awareness pictures as well as post disaster damage assessment by getting an overview of the situation from above. They can also aid in search and rescue (SAR) missions, helping to identify survivors or assess hazardous conditions. However, in many cases cameras are supported by other sensors – like thermal imaging cameras.

Thermal imaging cameras are used for firefighting purposes to detect the source of structural fires and embers for which an RGB-camera is insufficient. At night, they can also aid SAR operations to search for victims in the dark. Multispectral cameras are particularly deployed to detect changes in vegetation health and land cover, e.g., during or after a wildfire to assess the burnt area or to help with firefighting strategies by identifying natural firebreaks. LiDAR technology aids disaster management in different fields, for instance, in the response phase after an earthquake for post-event imagery to assess the damage or to identify and map landslides. It also receives attention in wildfire management practices, e.g., for mapping canopy fuel attributes that are needed for wildfire predictions. Radar systems can be of great help in SAR operations where debris and other forms of substances cover an area where people are buried. A UAS with a radar system enables the safety of personnel in hazardous environments because rescue personnel can be positioned in a secure location while the drone is monitoring the terrain. Chemical sensors can detect different gases and chemical components, e.g., in forest fires to monitor air quality and smoke components, or detect toxic gases or chemical leaks. UAS equipped with chemical sensors ensure the safety of emergency personnel on the ground as the extent of chemical contamination can be assessed without people having to enter the area in question.
Search lights enable the usage of UAS at night and in low-light conditions, so they can continue to be the “eye in the sky”, especially when other low-light-operating sensors (e.g., thermal or multispectral cameras) are not available. Thus, they are particularly interesting for organisations that predominantly use UAS and RBG cameras in SAR operations. Microphones on UAS for a more effective and efficient disaster management are still developed and researched and, thus, not yet used in practice. However, they are promising auxiliary support systems that could be used in the future if successfully trained by artificial intelligence to detect sound patterns such as shouting and clapping. Loudspeakers on UAS are mainly used to disseminate information, particularly in remote areas, or in areas with disrupted infrastructure. Delivery platforms for drones play a crucial role in disaster management by facilitating the transportation of vital supplies, equipment, and resources. They can enhance response capabilities, bridge logistical gaps, and provide immediate relief to affected populations in times of crisis. Last but not least, RTK base stations improve the accuracy of GPS of UAS. This auxiliary support system is of particular interest in cases when precise positioning is crucial for disaster management practices.