The problem RisingTides solves

RisingTides is a revolutionary web platform designed to enhance public awareness and engagement regarding coastal flooding issues caused by sea level rise. This innovative solution integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) data and infrastructure information to provide users and urban planners with insightful flood risk scenarios and also encourages user participation in data collection and analysis, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of coastal flood risks.
Key Features:

1. Interactive Flood Risk Maps:
   • RisingTides offers users an interactive map interface that displays current flood risks and potential scenarios based on different levels of sea level rise.
   • Users can explore vulnerable areas, assess flood probabilities, and understand the potential impact on local infrastructure.
2. Scenario Analysis:
   • The platform utilizes GIS data to generate scenario analyses, helping users visualize the potential impact of rising sea levels on specific regions.
   • Users can input different sea level rise parameters to understand the evolving risks and plan accordingly.
3. Community Data Contribution:
   • RisingTides invites users to actively participate in data collection by reporting flood events through the app.
   • Users can contribute valuable information such as photos, location data, and descriptions, creating a real-time and comprehensive database of flood events.
4. Crowdsourced Flood Risk Mapping:
   • The app allows users to participate in flood risk mapping initiatives, contributing to a collective effort to identify vulnerable areas and potential solutions.
5. Alerts and Notifications:
   • RisingTides provides timely alerts and notifications to users in high-risk areas, offering real-time information about potential flooding events.

Challenges we ran into

Issue: Balancing User Privacy and Data Collection:
Challenge: Striking a balance between collecting valuable data from users and ensuring their privacy and data security posed ethical and technical challenges.
Mitigation: Implemented strict data anonymization and encryption protocols to safeguard user information. Developed transparent privacy policies and communicated clearly with users about the purpose and use of their data. Regularly updated privacy features based on user feedback and evolving privacy standards.

Issue: Community Engagement and Data Crowdsourcing:
Challenge: Encouraging active user participation in data collection, such as reporting flood events and contributing photos, required overcoming potential hesitancy and ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Mitigation: Implemented a gamified user interface to incentivize contributions and enhance user engagement. Conducted user testing and feedback sessions to refine the platform's features and improve the overall user experience. Integrated educational resources to raise awareness and emphasize the importance of community involvement in mitigating coastal flooding risks.