Artificial Intelligence paper
Computers, Environment and Urban Systems
25 (2001) 267–278 www.elsevier.com/locate/compenvurbsys Integrating GIS, GPS and GSM technologies for the effective management of ambulances
G. Derekenaris a,*, J. Garofalakis b, C. Makris a, J. Prentzas a,
S. Sioutas a, A. Tsakalidis b a Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, Graphics, Multimedia & GIS Lab, School of
Engineering, University of Patras, 26500 Rion, Patras, Greece b Computer Technology Institute, Research Unit 5, PO Box 1122, 26110 Patras, Greece
Accepted 27 July 2000
Abstract
In this paper, we describe a system offering a solution to the problem of ambulance management and emergency incident handling in the prefecture of Attica in Greece. It is based on the integration of geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS) and global system for mobile communication (GSM) technologies. The design of the system was the result of a project funded by the Greek Secretariat of Research and Technology. A significant operation for the handling of emergency incidents is the routing of ambulances to incident sites and then to the closest appropriate hospitals. The response time of a real-time system like ours to such queries is of vital significance. By using efficient data structures for the implementation of the graph representing the road network, the time performance of the shortest-path algorithm can be enhanced. Incorporating the efficient algorithm within the GIS will increase our system’s viability. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: GIS technology; Spatial networks; Integrated systems; EKAB
1. Introduction
The efficient management of ambulances in order to achieve fast transportation of patients to the appropriate hospitals is a vital aspect of the quality of health services
* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: dereken@ceid.upatras.gr (G. Derekenaris), garofala@cti.gr (J. Garofalakis), makri
@ceid.upatras.gr (C. Makris),
25 (2001) 267–278 www.elsevier.com/locate/compenvurbsys Integrating GIS, GPS and GSM technologies for the effective management of ambulances
G. Derekenaris a,*, J. Garofalakis b, C. Makris a, J. Prentzas a,
S. Sioutas a, A. Tsakalidis b a Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, Graphics, Multimedia & GIS Lab, School of
Engineering, University of Patras, 26500 Rion, Patras, Greece b Computer Technology Institute, Research Unit 5, PO Box 1122, 26110 Patras, Greece
Accepted 27 July 2000
Abstract
In this paper, we describe a system offering a solution to the problem of ambulance management and emergency incident handling in the prefecture of Attica in Greece. It is based on the integration of geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS) and global system for mobile communication (GSM) technologies. The design of the system was the result of a project funded by the Greek Secretariat of Research and Technology. A significant operation for the handling of emergency incidents is the routing of ambulances to incident sites and then to the closest appropriate hospitals. The response time of a real-time system like ours to such queries is of vital significance. By using efficient data structures for the implementation of the graph representing the road network, the time performance of the shortest-path algorithm can be enhanced. Incorporating the efficient algorithm within the GIS will increase our system’s viability. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: GIS technology; Spatial networks; Integrated systems; EKAB
1. Introduction
The efficient management of ambulances in order to achieve fast transportation of patients to the appropriate hospitals is a vital aspect of the quality of health services
* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: dereken@ceid.upatras.gr (G. Derekenaris), garofala@cti.gr (J. Garofalakis), makri
@ceid.upatras.gr (C. Makris),