2.1 Project Plan 

Task breakdown 

Research

• Heatwave Risks: Identify dangers affecting different regions and demographics.

• User Needs: Gather user preferences for app features.

• Data Sources: Find reliable heatwave data and alert systems.

Development

• Real-Time Alerts: Build a system for location-specific heatwave notifications.

• Safety Hub: Add tips on hydration, cooling, and medical advice.

• Personalized Suggestions: Create features for recommendations based on user profiles.

• Cooling Center Map: Show nearby cooling centers on an interactive map.

Testing and Launch

• User Testing: Test the app and fix bugs.

• Launch Plan: Prepare for app release and outreach.

Project Plan 

Phase 1: Research & Concept Development (Weeks 1–4)

Conduct market research and finalize app requirements.

Develop initial wireframes and obtain feedback.

Phase 2: Design & Prototype Development (Weeks 5–8)

Complete UI/UX design and system architecture.

Develop a basic working prototype of the app.

Phase 3: Core Feature Implementation (Weeks 9–14)

Implement real-time alert and education modules.

Start integrating cooling center mapping with local data.

Phase 4: Testing & Refinement (Weeks 15–18)

Conduct rigorous testing and improve app functionality.

Incorporate user feedback and finalize features.

Phase 5: Deployment & Evaluation (Weeks 19–20)

Launch the app for public use.

Gather user data and evaluate the impact of the app.

2.2 Concepts 

User-Centered Interface

• Simple Navigation: Easy-to-use menus for quick access to alerts, safety tips, and maps.

• Clean Layout: Organized sections with minimal distractions to ensure readability.

• Accessibility Features: Adjustable text size, high-contrast modes, and multi-language support.

Real-Time Alerts

• Notifications tailored to user location and current heatwave severity.

• Intuitive icons and color-coded warnings for quick understanding.

Personalized Dashboard

• User profiles that adapt advice based on health, age, and location.

• Highlights of immediate actions during heatwaves.

Interactive Map

• Displays nearby cooling centers and hydration points.

• Integrates GPS for step-by-step directions.

Safety Hub

• Sections dedicated to hydration tips, cooling strategies, and heat-related medical guidance.

• Visual aids such as infographics for better comprehension.

Collaboration Features

• Local government partnerships for accurate data on heat severity and cooling center availability.

2.3 Concept Selection

Summary

Our app shall provide real-time heatwave alerts and personalized safety tips. By evaluating different software and user-interface designs through KT Decision and Evaluation matrices, we concluded that using a mobile app built with React and JavaScript is the best solution for its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of development.

Main Features

• • Real-Time Alerts: Notifications about heatwave severity and duration based on user location.

  • Safety Tips: Hydration, cooling techniques, and medical guidance.

  • Customizable Interface: Allows users to set preferences for notifications and regions.

  • Geolocation Integration: Localized weather data and safety tips.

  • Cloud Backend: Efficient storage of user preferences and weather updates.

KT Decision Matrix

Application

2.4 Design

2.5 Analysis

Software Materials for Heatwave Alert and Safety App

Frontend Development

1. Framework:

   • React.js (for user interface)

2. Features to Build:

   • Alerts Dashboard

   • Safety Tips Section

   • Notification System

     • Allow users to subscribe to specific regions or alert types

3. Libraries/Tools:

   • Axios or Fetch API (to fetch weather data and heatwave alerts from APIs)

Backend Development

1. Framework:

   • Node.js with Express.js

2. Features to Build:

   • Simple server to fetch and process heatwave-related data from external weather APIs

   • Store safety tips in a database

3. Weather/Geolocation APIs:

   • OpenWeatherMap 

Database

1. Options for Storing User Preferences and Tips:

   • Firebase Firestore

   • MongoDB 

2. What to Store:

   • User location and alert preferences

Cloud Hosting and Deployment

1. Hosting Platforms:

   • Netlify for hosting the React frontend

   • AWS for hosting the backend server

2.6 Test Plan 

Our testing will ensure the app is functional, reliable, and user-friendly. Frontend testing will focus on verifying the Alerts Dashboard, Safety Tips Section, and Notification System for accuracy and responsiveness across devices. Backend testing will validate API integration with OpenWeatherMap and data storage in Firebase Firestore or MongoDB to ensure user preferences and safety tips are handled correctly. End-to-end testing will confirm seamless interaction between the frontend, backend, and APIs, while performance testing will assess response times and server load handling. Usability testing with diverse participants will evaluate the app’s ease of use, and deployment testing will ensure smooth operation in the production environment hosted on Netlify and AWS.