Optimal evacuation path search scheme for fire situations using 5G communication technology

This paper proposes an enhanced A* algorithm for optimizing evacuation routes within buildings during a fire outbreak. One important research topic is finding the safest and quickest evacuation route considering the structure of the building and the location of the fire when it occurs. The proposed technique employs a multisensor-based fire detection system facilitated by 5G communication technology, enabling not only fire detection but also assessment of potential evacuation routes considering various factors such as smoke, heat, and population density. Ultimately, it provides a route to safely evacuate to the destination. The technique proposed in this paper enhances the conventional path-finding A* algorithm by designating waypoints, setting optimal paths, and thus solving the problems resulting from the traditional A* algorithm, which simply designates a path from the starting point to a simple target. The proposed scheme leverages 5G communication technology to apply to building and fire map data, finding the optimal path from the starting point to the destination and selecting the path with the least cost from these routes. This approach provides a safe and efficient route for evacuees during a fire outbreak. In performance verification under simulation conditions, the proposed technique was validated to determine a route to the destination with a minimum cost, showing superiority over the conventional A* algorithm. The simulation results confirm that the proposed technique can process more data compared to the existing scheme.