Yesterday (28th), the Spatial Information Sustainable Application Award ceremony took place at the International Convention Center of the National Taiwan University Hospital. Through industry-government-academia collaboration, the Taichung City Government’s Water Resources Bureau developed the Taichung City Comprehensive Smart Flood Prevention Platform. This platform stood out in the Spatial Information Sustainable Application Award competition against numerous projects from across the country and received the Excellence Award in Digital Governance. It acknowledged its significant achievements in driving innovative spatial information applications that support environmental sustainability and digital transformation.
Director Fan Shih-Yi of the Water Resources Bureau noted that to tackle the threat posed by sudden and intense short-duration rainfall. The bureau collaborated with Feng Chia University's Water Resources Development Center and Wave GIS Technology. By leveraging academic research and technological advancements, they initiated a digital transformation strategy and developed the Comprehensive Smart Flood Prevention Platform based on a cloud-based IoT framework. This platform enhances multi-faceted water condition monitoring, early warning, and reporting, effectively combining local research strengths with advanced technology.
According to the Water Resources Bureau, the city government has deployed an extensive water condition IoT network, with over 1,000 sensing devices installed across the city. These devices monitor various factors like rainfall, visuals, drainage levels, storm sewer levels, and road flooding. This network provides real-time water condition data to flood prevention teams and the public, replacing the need for manual inspections. Moreover, the platform integrates with value-added applications, such as the Taichung Water Condition app, which automatically issues flood warnings within a 1-kilometer radius, and an AI-based Human Detection system along the Liuchuan Riverside that recognizes rising water levels and triggers alerts. These advancements improve disaster preparedness and response.
The Water Resources Bureau highlighted that the Taichung City Comprehensive Smart Flood Prevention Platform concretely provides digital services that integrate digital governance. Through precise risk management, the platform enhances the city's ability to respond to heavy rainfall, thereby achieving disaster reduction and mitigation objectives. This aligns with SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals, SDG 11’s mission of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, and SDG 13 Climate Action.
(8/29*16)*Water Resources Bureau
Contact Person: Mr. Lai, Disaster Prevention Center, Water Resources Bureau, Taichung City Government
Contact Number: 04-22289111 ext. 53703