Multicriteria search with multiple searchers in uncertain environments

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Search and Rescue (SAR) is one of the greatest humanitarian activities. It comprises the search for, and provision of aid to, persons, ships or other craft which are, or are feared to be, in distress or imminent danger. The objective of SAR is to locate and rescue survivors involved in a SAR incident. Search planning is a particularly important phase, especially when the location of the incident is unknown. Search planning may be seen as the optimal allocation of the available search resources. In this project, we propose to conduct research to develop algorithms for the multiple searchers problem in a multi-criteria context. The objective is to generate, in a reasonable time, near optimal operationally feasible plans for searches conducted in open and vast spaces. We will pay particular attention to uncertainty in detection capabilities, possibility of false alarms, presence of false targets and uncertainty on visibility parameters. The mathematical framework that we will use includes constraint programming, stochastic processes, multi-criteria mathematical programming, meta-heuristics, geographic terrain analysis, and simulation models. Our long term goal is to leverage this research effort with other research funding sources to develop a geographic decision support system prototype that implements multi-criteria evaluation and optimization algorithms based on terrain constraints, physical constraints, time constraints, detection capabilities, type of resources available, etc., and that takes into account the various uncertainties associated with SAR missions. This is in continuance with our past and current research in the area of search planning and decision support for Search and Rescue. The potential benefits are for the SAR organization in general, and for the Canadian public in particular. In an operational context, our research may translate into an increase in the chances of finding survivors, resulting in more saved lives. Another benefit is a potential decrease in the operations costs.