Exploring the use of IoT Data for Heightened Situational Awareness in Centralised Monitoring Control Rooms

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.

Smart water management

“…These systems, in turn, appear to be capable of integrating learned experiences into their models, which in turn assist operators when analyzing IoT data. This approach can only go so far, as local contextual information is needed to allow an effective balance between managers and their operating systems for the most effective anticipation of risks and how they should be responded to (Horita et al, 2020).…”

A framework for the application of standards, recommendations, and research on large screen displays in the function of new control rooms design

“…To resolve this dilemma, it is necessary to investigate how different levels of technological development affect motivation, workload, trust in new technologies, situation awareness, and mental models of operators working in new digital systems 43–48 . Some conclusions from the study: The motivation of operators in new digital systems is initially lower, which increases as operators gain more experience.…”

“…To avoid the keyhole effect, information on the display systems must be presented, not hidden within the display. Modern control rooms tend to have a positive influence on the situational awareness, if modernization is adequately performed 47 . On the other hand, higher degree of automation that recommended can lead to a loss of situational awareness 48 …”

Compreendendo Comportamentos Emergentes em Sistemas-de-Sistemas por meio de Simulação de Software

“…Em segundo lugar, serão avaliadas as ferramentas e dispositivos existentes para o projeto da futura plataforma de simulação a ser construída. Por fim, um estudo de caso será conduzido em um sistema de gestão de resposta a desastres baseado nas pesquisas de [Horita et al 2018][Horita et al 2020, as quais propõem um framework conceitual com os fatores (dimensões e pilares) que podem otimizar o processo de decisão nas salas de controle de centros destinados ao monitoramento de riscos e alertas precoces. Os dados advindos desta etapa fornecerão subsídios importantes para o andamento do projeto, permitindo nortear os próximos passos, dentro dos objetivos específicos estabelecidos, e traçar as estratégias adequadas para se atingir o objetivo geral e responderà pergunta de pesquisa.…”