Background Information
Earthquake happens in Indonesia so often. When the base of the Indian ocean fell, and causing the tsunami in 2004, the tectonic plate is also moving until now. To recondition of the effect, another part of the plate is moving slowly to make the plate (Eurasia-Australia) below Indonesia keep stable. So, the earthquakes happen is the effect of it. Some of them are earthquake in Nias and Yogyakarta. BMG (Meteorology and Geophysics Operation Unit) Indonesia concluded that the plate's move will stop until there is an earthquake again in West Sumatra.
Indonesians realize that that they are on war with the nature. They cannot hide and fight, but they can try to survive. The problem is that Indonesian people are still behind in know how to survive when an earthquake happens. Indonesian government has not done anything significant that can save more of these people when an earthquake hits. I intend to decrease the number of earthquake casualties in Indonesia by creating this device. This device is easily understood that these conventional people will know where to go to save their families, relatives, friends, loved ones, and themselves when an earthquake hits.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
My device is Evacuation Route Indicator. It will provide people evacuation route guidance to the safest place. This place includes landslide free area, higher ground, and an empty land. The indicator will sound like “kentongan,” which is a tool that has been used for years to attract people's attentions when danger occurs.
The device main purpose is to alert people in time of danger. Also to socialize the evacuation route so that people will be familiar with it.
I will use wood for the outer casing of the device. I chose wood because it will blend in with the environment of Indonesian villages. On the other hand, I will use aluminium for the inner layer. Aluminium will protect the device; therefore, it will withstand all weather and hazard.
There are three main components in this device. The first one is solar panel. The solar panel will absorb the lights from sun and turn it into energy that will be charged into the battery. The battery will supply the energy and generate the LED light and the speaker.
I plan to place the device at the corners where most people can see. I will put the device in safe places. In areas where tsunami often hits, I plan to install the light at the points that will lead people to the higher place.
Reflection
Moreover, one advantage that I have from being Indonesian and doing this project on Indonesia is that I know what Indonesian people need during an earthquake. I know what is needed in order to reduce the number of casualties when an earthquake hits. For example, the need of shelters, food supplies, clean water, entertainment for kids to divert their attention so they’re not traumatic.
This project has opened my eyes that there are actually a lot of opportunities to help third world countries like Indonesia in times of disaster, in this case an earthquake. We can design a device that is easily understood and could save a large number of people.
