UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 3 Research Projects

Project No.: CY3-NTU-03
Title: Emergency Response and Access Mapping for Rural Navajo Communities
Performing Institution: Navajo Technical University, Vialytics, Navajo Division of Transportation
Principal Investigator: Pias Kumar Biswas, Yogesh Kumar Singla, Navajo Technical University
Start and Anticipated Completion Dates: 01/01/2026 to 01/15/2027 
Abstract: In the Navajo Nation Area, poorly maintained, unpaved, and seasonally hazardous road conditions in rural areas hinder timely response of emergency services. For example, in Crownpoint, heavy snowfall can make it difficult for ambulance services and firefighting vehicles to reach homes, as they must travel through unpaved or unmaintained roads to reach their destinations. Although current routing tools are able to locate the best route between two points, they do not contain pavement condition data or hazard data that would allow for the accurate determination of safe passage for emergency vehicles. Satellite images are also unable to show potholes, ruts, washouts, etc.; therefore, responders are forced to guess which is the best route based on their experience or try different routes until they find one that works. In many cases, this results in substantial delays, especially during severe weather when traditional navigation systems provide little guidance on actual road accessibility. A new platform is needed that has reliable and accessible data to help direct emergency responders to the safest route to the point of origin. Such a system would not only improve response time but also provide agencies with a standardized way to assess roadway risk during rapidly changing environmental conditions. This project will create a reliable, data driven, AI-assisted Road Accessibility Index (RAI), and a GIS-based routing dashboard utilizing Vialytics' smartphone-based road assessment capabilities, along with data on transportation, crashes, maintenance, and climate to provide real time accessibility ratings for each ten meter section of road within the Crownpoint area (150 miles total) and direct Emergency Medical Services, Fire and Law Enforcement departments towards the safest routes to travel to emergency locations.
Click to read more