Development of a Logistics System for Disaster Medical Container Operations Using Drones and GIS

Abstract

Introduction:

To quickly operate a temporary hospital using disaster medical containers in the event of a large-scale disaster, dozens of large trailers must be quickly brought to the disaster site. This study aims to establish a logistic system for transporting and installing containers using drones and GIS.

Method:

By linking drones and GIS, a theoretical model was created to quickly determine routes and installation sites for large trailers transporting medical containers from candidate routes simulated in advance by taking into account hazard maps and road conditions.

Results:

Using this system, it is possible to

(1) Establish whether the roads planned to be passed through are passable.

By narrowing down candidate routes through preliminary simulations that overlay hazard maps and roads that are passable for large trailers, it is possible to narrow down the routes that need to be confirmed. Immediately after a disaster, a drone can be used to confirm road damage, flooding, landslides, etc., and map them on the GIS to determine the extent to which they are passable.

(2) Identify locations that take into account demand and safety.

Locations that are close to the disaster area, safe, and in demand for medical care can be determined and identified based on the population mesh and the damage situation.

Conclusion:

GIS and drones have a high affinity and are used in various ways. However, there is still no linkage between GIS and drones adapted to medical care and logistics at disaster sites in Japan. This system is indispensable to comprehensively determine the safety and demand of roads and installation sites.