ROCKNET: SELF-ORGANIZING WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK FOR ROCKFALL SURVEILLANCE AND REAL-TIME WARNING

An intelligent wireless sensor network system called "RockNet" was developed and tested for rock fall surveillance. It provides real-time detection with warning capabilities for many lifelines such as: express highways, railways, roads as well as hiking trails, ski slopes, mountain climbing routes and for construction workers or objects that should be temporarily protected in case of imminent danger in rock fall zones. RockNet consists of an array of sensor nodes easily distributed in the down slope zone of an area prone to rockfalls. The RockNet system monitors the vibration signals caused by the impacts of falling rocks or boulders. It is capable of analyzing the received signals, compare them with several criteria and automatically decide on sending an alarm to agencies, stop trains or control traffic lights to avoid accidents. RockNet is a cost-effective, easy to use and suitable geohazard prediction tool to reduce the risk due to rockfalls in vulnerable areas. A prototype system has successfully been tested in the Swiss mountains for several months.