Exploring the use of IoT data for heightened Situational Awareness in centralised monitoring control rooms

Horita, F., Baptista, J. and Porto de Albuquerque, J. (2023) Exploring the use of IoT data for heightened Situational Awareness in centralised monitoring control rooms. Information Systems Frontiers, 25(1), pp. 275-290. (doi: 10.1007/s10796-020-10075-8)

Abstract

This paper traces the expansion of a network of IoT sensors to improve the effectiveness of a centralised control room in Brazil in anticipating natural hazards. This centralised model relies on using IoT data by highly qualified experts replacing previous smaller local structures. We draw on the notion of Situational Awareness to carry out the study. Results show that although the operators were not always familiar with the characteristics of locations, the use of IoT data heightened their situational awareness in the centralised control room by improving perception and comprehension. However, they still relied on local knowledge and learned experiences to support projection and anticipation of risks. The study highlights that although data analytics systems are capable of expanding operators’ perception of local elements, they must be complemented by local richer forms of information, needed to anticipate risks and make critical decisions with major impact on local population.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Flávio Horita would express his gratitute to the financial support provided by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP grant 2018/25805-5) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq grant 437937/2018-6). João Porto de Albuquerque’s participation in this research is enabled by the project Waterproofing Data and financially supported by the Belmont Forum and NORFACE Joint Research Programme on Transformations to Sustainability (https://www.norface.net/program/transformations-tosustainability/), which is co-funded by DLR/BMBF, ESRC/GCRF (grant ES/S006982/1), FAPESP and the European Commission through Horizon 2020.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Porto de Albuquerque, Professor Joao
• Authors: Horita, F., Baptista, J., and Porto de Albuquerque, J.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Information Systems Frontiers
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1387-3326
• ISSN (Online): 1572-9419
• Published Online: 16 November 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Information Systems Frontiers 25(1): 275-290
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence