An Intelligent Route Finder For UAE Desert Driver Based On A* Algorithm
Lahej Alhelli, Mohammed Nasser Mohammed Alyafeai, Mohammad Sh. Daoud, Tarik A. Elamsy · 2021
Car driving in off-road areas and the deserts, in particular, is a challenging task. In such a harsh environment, drivers need to move while avoiding getting stuck in the sand or rolled upside down. In UAE, with its vast desert, this is a daily challenge for oil companies who operate in inland oil exploring, organizers of safari tours, and the border guards. This paper introduces an intelligent route finder for UAE desert driver based on A*Algorithm (IRF) framework as a route guidance tool for off-road driving. The goal is to find the shortest and safest path to the destination. The IRF combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) pathfinding algorithms and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), such as the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Surface Type, to enhance pathfinding decisions. We model and combine this information to improve cost estimation in the A*artificial intelligence searching algorithm. Drivers can use the developed software to predict the safest optimal route to help navigate more safely in the sandy desert and save time.