Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney are spearheading a trial of innovative technology aimed at safeguarding communities during severe weather occurrences. This initiative leverages artificial intelligence and the mobile phone network to anticipate potential flooding impacts.

In collaboration with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and TPG Telecom, UTS researchers are developing and evaluating network sensing technology. The technology extracts localised weather data, including rainfall, water levels, and river flows, through signals transmitted across the communications network.

Utilising artificial intelligence, the system can forecast risks to both infrastructure and communities. This advancement could empower the SES to promptly disseminate critical information to affected communities via targeted alerts.

Although still in the developmental phase, this technology holds the potential to revolutionize emergency services. Presently, obtaining accurate real-time information during weather events poses challenges due to the limited number of flood sensors, network coverage issues, and network disruptions.

Testing Is Underway

Testing of the technology is underway along Sydney’s Parramatta and Georges Rivers and will continue as a centrepiece project of UTS and TPG’s new Network Sensing Lab which, which was officially opened recently by NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib.

“Researching this technology is an opportunity to pioneer a new era of flood and storm intelligence. This work represents a significant step in the NSW Government’s efforts to combat risks to lives and properties during severe weather events,” Mr Dib said.

“This landmark partnership between UTS, TPG Telecom, NSW SES and the NSW Government has the potential to place NSW and Australia at the forefront of how new telecommunication technologies can help in addressing climate challenges and saving lives.”

UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Parfitt

“As we face increasingly severe weather influenced by climate change, we are supporting the NSW State Emergency Service with technology that could help communities access important storm and flood information quicker.

“The new technology will improve data-driven decision-making for first responders, filling an information gap that could make an important difference in emergency situations.”

Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor of UTS, emphasized that this project epitomizes UTS’s commitment to translating research into tangible societal benefits.

By contributing to the economic sustainability, prosperity, and community resilience of New South Wales (NSW) and Australia, this initiative aligns with UTS’s mission.

“Thanks to NSW Government support, our world-leading wireless research team, led by Distinguished Professor Jay Guo, can build on six years of research establishing the foundation for the flood and storm intelligence sensing system now in development,” Professor Parfitt said.

“Network sensing can potentially transform the way our emergency personnel manage and mitigate flood and storm risks, but there are other applications for the technology that also will be explored in the new TPG-UTS Network Sensing Lab.

“This landmark partnership between UTS, TPG Telecom, NSW SES and the NSW Government has the potential to place NSW and Australia at the forefront of how new telecommunication technologies can help in addressing climate challenges and saving lives.”

“The TPG-UTS Network Sensing Lab will translate research into industrial solutions,” said Distinguished Professor Jay Guo.

“There are limitless opportunities for network sensing technology aside from rainfall monitoring and flood protection.

“They include traffic management, object and intruder detection for smart transport, collision avoidance, search and rescue and health and sports monitoring.”

Funded by Transport for NSW’s Smart Places Acceleration Program, which draws from the Digital Restart Fund managed by the Department of Customer Service, the Flood and Storm Intelligence Sensing project is gaining momentum.

The also initiative leverages collaborative efforts across agencies to enhance flood warnings, aligning with the NSW Government’s priority on early warning systems as outlined in the State Disaster Mitigation Plan.

The New South Wales (NSW) government has allocated funding for the Flood and Storm Intelligence Sensing project as part of its extensive $45 million Smart Places Acceleration Program