project-proposal-2024

FloodAlert: Brisbane Flood Detection and Alert System

Abstract

Imagine a Brisbane where no one is caught off guard by floods, where every resident receives timely warnings to protect their homes and loved ones. FloodAlert is here to make this a reality. Utilizing real-time data from the Queensland Government Open Data Portal, FloodAlert is a cutting-edge system designed to monitor flood risks and alert residents of Brisbane, starting with the Graceville and Cherma neighborhoods. Our interactive, color-coded map will show you at a glance whether your area is safe, at risk, or already flooded. By focusing on reliability, deployability, and interoperability, FloodAlert promises to be your front-line defense against flood damage, ensuring that when the waters rise, you won’t be left adrift.

Author

Name: Alvee Mir

Student number: 48590969

Functionality

FloodAlert’s comprehensive feature set aims to deliver a user-friendly, accurate, and timely flood warning system:

• Real-Time Flood Mapping: An interactive map of Brisbane displays current flood statuses, with areas color-coded as green (safe), yellow (at risk), and red (flooded). It will use the Queensland Government Near Real Time Water Data API (https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au/mobile/) to change these colors accordingly.

• Neighborhood-Specific Alerts: Residents of specific neighborhoods, starting with Graceville and Cherma, can receive personalized alerts about flood risks through automated emails. Furthermore, it will account for elevation of each property in the neighborhood (using the FloodWise Property Reports https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planning-and-building/planning-guidelines-and-tools/online-tools/floodwise-property-reports) in order to accurately warn the residents, so that lower elevation properties which are at a higher risk of flooding are informed before relatively higher elevated ones. Residents would enter their email and adress to be added to an automated mailing list.

• Historical Data Analysis: Allows users to view past flood data and trends for better preparedness. This will also utilize Queensland Government databases of historical flood mapping.

• Community Reporting Feature: Residents can report flooding incidents using automated email acknowledgment, follow up communications, and later on a feedback portal, thus contributing to the system’s accuracy and responsiveness.

Scope

The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for FloodAlert will include:

• Basic Real-Time Flood Mapping: Initially covering the Graceville and Cherma neighborhoods with color-coded flood status indications. We will implement algorithms to analyze incoming data and update the map in real-time. This involves converting raw data into actionable insights, such as predicting flood risk levels based on current and forecasted conditions.

• Alert System: A simple alert system for the MVP neighborhoods, notifying residents of changing flood risks. Neighbors will submit their email address and home address, which will be stored in a simple database, which can be queried when water levels near that property starts to rise, and an automated email can be sent.

• Data Integration: Establishing the initial data feed from the Queensland Government Open Data Portal for real-time flood detection. This includes real-time water level measurements. We will set up an API connection with the Queensland Government Open Data Portal to access real-time flood data. We will aslo develop algorithms to process and analyze the flood data in real-time. This includes filtering, aggregation, and applying predictive models to assess flood risks. The algorithms will need to be efficient to handle large volumes of data and provide timely updates.

Quality Attributes

• Reliability: FloodAlert must provide accurate and timely information. Reliability will be measured by the system’s uptime and the accuracy of flood status updates, evaluated through continuous monitoring and user feedback.

• Deployability: The system should support easy updates for expanding coverage and improving features. Deployability will be assessed by the ease of integrating new neighborhoods and updating the system’s software components.

• Interoperability: Essential for utilizing real-time data from various sources and ensuring that the system can communicate with other emergency response systems. Interoperability will be tested by integrating with the Queensland Government Open Data Portal and potential future integration with local emergency services.

Evaluation

MVP Functionality Evaluation

• Basic Real-Time Flood Mapping: Success will be measured by the accuracy and timeliness of the flood status displayed. A sample of reported flood incidents will be cross-referenced with the map updates to ensure alignment. User feedback will also be collected to assess the clarity and usefulness of the map interface.

• Alert System: Evaluation will focus on the promptness and relevance of alerts sent to residents of Graceville and Cherma. Test alerts will be issued, and response times along with user feedback on alert accuracy and usefulness will be gathered.

• Data Integration: The seamless integration with the Queensland Government Open Data Portal will be tested by comparing the system’s data updates with officially published flood data for consistency and timeliness. System logs will be reviewed for any integration errors or delays.

Quality Attributes Evaluation

• Reliability: This will be initially gauged through manual checks against public data sources and user feedback on the accuracy of the information provided. Simplifying the approach, we’ll rely on a single, reliable data source from the Queensland Government Open Data Portal and incorporate basic error-checking mechanisms to validate data integrity. Continuous monitoring will be scaled down to periodic checks, aligning with the project’s scope and timeline.

• Deployability: Given the limited project duration, deployability will focus on the ease of making manual updates to the system, such as integrating additional neighborhoods or refining the alert logic. Instead of automated deployment pipelines, we’ll document a clear, step-by-step update process that can be executed quickly and safely, ensuring that we can adapt to new information or user feedback within the project’s timeframe.

• Interoperability: This will be scoped to ensure FloodAlert can effectively use data from the Queensland Government Open Data Portal, prioritizing this integration as the main source of real-time flood data. We’ll design the system with future scalability in mind, using widely accepted data formats and simple APIs for data retrieval, but will not implement full integration with other emergency response systems during the initial project phase. The focus will be on establishing a solid foundation for data exchange that can be expanded in future iterations.