Maui Emergency Management Agency aims to improve evacuation planning, notifications with AI-powered traffic management, emergency alerts
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In an effort to improve emergency responses and public safety in the event of an emergency, the Maui County Emergency Management Agency has awarded a four-year contract to Genasys Inc. to equip the agency with two management software platforms -- Genasys EVAC and Traffic AI by Ladris.
According to the agency, the technology will be deployed across all islands in Maui County and will help provide flexible evacuation zone planning, artificial intelligence-powered traffic modeling, multi-threat planning and modeling and an emergency alert mobile phone app.
"MEMA's contract award to Genasys marks a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and emergency management in Maui County," Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release. "These advanced planning and communication tools will allow us to respond more effectively to future emergencies, including making data-driven evacuation decisions."
The release says Genasys EVAC uses intelligent zones to quickly identify precise areas for evacuation so the public can receive clear notifications and warnings, including evacuation and shelter-in-place updates.
Additionally, with the Genasys Protect mobile phone app, citizens can receive location-based notifications to stay safe and informed during emergencies.
The Traffic AI software platform is said to complement EVAC by providing real-time traffic data and analytics, and its integration is expected to enable emergency managers to better coordinate evacuations, ensuring that evacuation routes are clear and safe for those needing to leave affected areas quickly.
The release says the EVAC and Traffic AI platforms are currently deployed across various regions in the United States including in California, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, New Hampshire, Boston and other locations.
MEMA Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said that deployment of EVAC and TRAFFIC AI in Maui County is expected to begin in January 2025 after a review by first responder agencies.
"Our key stakeholders - our fire, police, dispatchers, state partners and many others - will be providing input on the initial evacuation zones the software will create for each area," Lonokailua-Hewett said. "Their deep, local knowledge will augment the technology, and help us prepare to deploy the real-time communication tools."