AidAtlas

Inspiration

The main inspiration was the severe flashflood in Texas which overwhelming emergency responders, and 27 lives, including many young campers and counselors, were lost. Inspired by the tragedy, AidAtlas aims to give disaster teams with tools to make informed decisions quickly, prioritize resources, and save lives during floods, hurricanes, and other emergencies.

Use of Google Maps Platform

• Used Maps JavaScript API to represented as interactive markers directly on the map.
• Used Directions API to calculate routes and find the safest paths on the map
• Places API allows responders to locate and view nearby shelters with details such as capacity, status (open/closed), and address
• Firebase Firestore used for incident reports submitted by responders are saved instantly and reflected across all connected devices

Key Differentiators

• Using Firebase Firestore allows responders and admins to add new hazards with locations tagged and updates across the platform
• AidAtlas uses the Directions API ensuring evacuation routes consider active hazards such as road floods
• Responders use a form to report new issues. Pinpointing locations visually on the map.
• Shelters are in the map as interactive markers, with capacity, availability, and directions.

Learnings

• AidAtlas was initially designed for hurricane and flood response but can scale to scenarios like earthquakes, wildfires and the use of Google Maps APIs can scale the impact.

What it does

AidAtlas is a disaster platform aiming to empower responders during emergencies like floods and hurricanes. Using Google Maps Platform, it provides real-time hazard mapping, safe routing, incident reporting, and shelter management.

Challenges we ran into

Trying to implement safe routing if a new hazard was on the initial route.

Built With

• firebase
• google-directions
• google-maps
• google-places
• maps-javascript
• places
• react