Footnote
(Note 1) To gain remote access, it is necessary to obtain a fixed IP address for each alarm unit or use a modem router capable of setting dynamic DNS to identify the IP address of the alarm unit.
(Note 2) Rapid water level rise warning will be replaced by the regular “flood warning level” alert when the water level reaches the “flood warning level”.
(Note 3) This function repeats the alarm and then stops for the preset period of time. This function can be used when you do not want the warning announcements or buzzer alarms to constantly repeat itself.
(Note 4) Basic line charge plus communication fee (packet charge) and Rapicas account fee will be charged monthly.
(Note 5) A function installed in the “river water level warning unit” to warn rapid rise in water levels at an early stage, separately from “flood warning level” and “evacuation decision level”.
“River Water Level Warning Unit” to Monitor Rapidly Rising Water Levels
Unimation System Inc.
| Publication date | July 11, 2022 (Posted on April 17, 2023) |
|---|---|
| Sector | Natural Disasters / Coastal Areas |
Company Overview
Unimation System Inc. manufactures and sells water level warning devices, develops and manages websites related to water level warning, and manufactures and sells its original manpower-saving controllers. Our series of warning devices for torrential rain disasters support disaster prevention based on the "spirit of kinjyo," meaning that the community should cooperate and look out for people in the neighborhood.
Climate Change Impacts
In recent years, localized torrential rains that occurs over a short timespan have been causing damage and accidents every year. Research indicates that such torrential rains are likely to increase in the future due to the ongoing, global scale climate change. Disasters such as landslides, flooded roads, and inundation of buildings caused by sudden torrential rains not only affect human lives but also hinder active economic operations in the region.
Adaptation Initiatives
The “river water level warning unit” we provide is a warning device that constantly monitors river water levels with sensors, detects a sudden rise in water levels, and alerts the surrounding community with revolving warning lights and alarms (Fig. 1).
The basic unit (Fig. 2) consists of an ultrasonic sensor, control box, and revolving warning light with a buzzer alarm, and is installed on a pole and connected to 100 VAC. By connecting the control box to a computer with a USB cable and using a dedicated software, it is possible to set six levels of warning water levels (Fig. 3), including “constant water level”, "flood prevention group standby level”, “rapid water increase detection level”, “flood warning level”, “evacuation decision level”, and “flooding level”, depending on the installed location. By setting the “rapid water increase detection level”, if the water level reaches that level from the “flood prevention group standby level” within a specified time (initial value of 10 minutes), a rapid water level rise warning will be issued even if the water level is below the “food warning level”, making it possible to send alerts at an early stage.
The control box is equipped with a LAN port inside, so by preparing LAN-compatible devices such as a modem, router, or wireless communication device for wired connection and an e-mail account provided by an Internet provider, e-mail transmission and web functions can also be used (Note 1). When the “rapid water increase detection level”, “flood warning level”, “evacuation decision level”, and “flooding level” or rapid water level rise warning (Note 2) are issued or lifted, the unit will send out e-mails to the recipients, who can check the warning status of the device via a web browser. Up to eight e-mail addresses can be set for each type of alarm using the web function, so the users can select the person in charge of each type of alarm to notify the community. In addition to sending e-mails, confirming alarms, and setting e-mail addresses, the web function can be used to set nighttime alarm deactivation, continuous alarm transmission time (Note 3), and forced output for operation checks.
E-mail transmission and web functions can be used by installing a communication option (Note 4), which does not require any line contract, equipment, or complicated settings. Other optional components are also available, and each component is highly independent, making it easy to expand or replace functions (Figures 4 and 5).
Effects / Expected Benefits
By installing the system at small rivers, domestic waterways or parks, it will be possible to send alerts to the “living areas” of the residents. The “rapid water level rise warning function” enables residents living near rivers to be informed at an early stage, which is useful for prompt initial evacuation in the event of flooding. By installing optional warning units at the upstream and downstream of the river, water levels detected at the upstream can be alerted downstream.
