ElektRail-SoSim: Simulation-based System-of-Systems Analysis for Wildfire Detection and Firefighting

Important results from the project

The aim of the ElektRail-SoSim system-of-system (SoS) modelling project was to improve the simulation capability of complex wildland fire ecosystems, including human means of detecting and extinguishing such fires. In order to develop and deploy new means such as UAVs for fire detection and suppression, holistic simulations, preferably based on agent-based modelling (ABM), need to be developed and applied to address the complex and highly dynamic nature of such SoS. The ElektRail-SoSim project, partly using the open source software NetLogo, has achieved this goal.

Expected long term effects

The work conducted on a holistic wildfire simulation model strengthens Sweden´s position in SoS engineering, vital for societal protection and the exploration of new markets (e.g., UAVs). The results include the development of a NetLogo-based wildfire simulation framework integrated with Matlab, Python and Julia. Validated with real data from MSB, the framework enables realistic design studies with GIS data integration. Key innovations include a proprietary fire spread model and UAV route optimization based on probability distributions.

Approach and implementation

The project was carried out by Linköping University (LiU) in collaboration with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the German ElektRail project. Based on preliminary work at LiU, MSB´s expertise and requirements, and a literature review, a two-stage approach was chosen to address this multi-domain problem. The first part of the project focused on environmental modelling and fire propagation modelling. The second part dealt with the implementation of aerial vehicles for fire detection and fighting, including the AI-based setup of automated routing.