Optimal Path Planning Using Psychological Profiling in Drone-assisted Missing Person Search

Abstract

Search and rescue operations are all time-sensitive and this is especially true when searching for a vulnerable missing person, such as a child or elderly person suffering dementia. Recently, Police Scotland Air Support Unit have begun the deployment of drones to assist in missing person search with success, although the efficacy of the search relies upon the expertise of the drone operator. In this paper, several algorithms for planning the search path are compared to determine which approach has the highest probability of finding the missing person in the shortest time. In addition to this, the use of }’a priori psychological profile information of the subject to create a probability map of likely locations within the search area was explored. This map is then used within a non-linear optimisation to determine the optimal flight path for a given search area and subject profile. Two optimisation solvers were compared; genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimisation. Finally, the most effective algorithm was used to create a coverage path for a real-life location, for which Police Scotland Air Support Unit completed multiple test flights. The generated flight paths based on the predicted intent of the lost person were found to perform statistically better than those of the expert police operators.

BibTex

 @article{ewers_optimal_2023,
  title = {Optimal Path Planning Using Psychological Profiling in Drone-assisted Missing Person Search},
  author = {Ewers, Jan-Hendrik and Anderson, David and Thomson, Douglas},
  year = {2023},
  month = sep,
  journal = {Advanced Control for Applications},
  pages = {e167},
  issn = {2578-0727, 2578-0727},
  doi = {10.1002/adc2.167},
  urldate = {2023-09-25},
  copyright = {All rights reserved},
  langid = {english},
  oa = {true}
}