TU Darmstadt and Emergencity present digital warning column for the disaster
With the so-called LITFASS pillar 4.0 , the Loewe Center Emergencity, the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Medienhaus Ströer have presented a future-oriented project for crisis communication. The digital prototype has now been officially inaugurated on Riegerplatz in Darmstadt and is intended to transmit important information to the population in an energy self-sufficient and nationwide manner in the event of a crisis or disaster- even in the event of a long-lasting power failure.
The project uses a well-known cityscape element: the classic lit barrier column. This is now technically upgraded and equipped with LED displays, photovoltaic modules and a methanol fuel cell. This ensures that in an emergency - if television, internet or mobile communications fail - local information distribution is still possible.
A project with radiance
"Always well informed all around, even in the event of a crisis - that is the principle of the Litfaße column 4.0," said Hesse's Digital Minister Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus at the inauguration. Minister of Science Timon Gremmels also emphasized the importance of the project, which is initiated by the Loewe Center Emergencity and scientifically accompanied by the TU Darmstadt.
Darmstadt's mayor Hanno Benz sees this an important innovation in the sense of population protection: "As a city of science in Darmstadt, we are happy to be a pioneer in the resilient digital emergency communication with the Litfaßekäl 4.0."
Research meets practice
The LITFASS column 4.0 is a modular extent system: the existing column attachment is replaced by a chapter with three LED displays that transmit information controlled by the fire brigade in the event of a crisis. The power supply takes place via solar energy and a methanol fuel cell, which ensures an operating time of up to 72 hours.
The prototype under the direction of Dr. Joachim Schulze (TU Darmstadt), with the support of Ströer Media, the Darmstadt fire brigade, Darmstadt Marketing and other partners. In the future, the warning column will also be connected to the modular warning system (Mowas) of the federal government.
Scientific support in Darmstadt
In the coming months, the acceptance and effectiveness of the system will be scientifically examined by the TU Darmstadt and the resulting transfer center Digital Resilience Xchange (Direx). Polls, usage analyzes and technical tests are carried out. The aim is to optimize the system and to expand it to other cities in terms of perspective.
Further information on the project is available on the website of the Emergencity Research Center:
👉 www.emergencity.de
(Dartmstadt - Red/TU)
Contribution picture: The classic lit barrier has been known for more than 170 years. The idea: If other communication media such as mobile communications, Internet or television fail in the event of a long -lasting power failure, energy -self -sufficient lit barrier 4.0 can continue to inform people. On Thursday (March 4th), the Loewe Center Emergencity, the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Medienhaus Ströer put into operation the prototypes on Riegerplatz in Darmstadt, which was created in a joint research cooperation. In addition to the technical testing, scientific studies should then show how the Darmstadt residents perceive the warning column. In the picture: Installation of the column on the Darmstadt Riegerplatz on April 2, 2024. Photo: Sascha Mannel
