The Vehicle Add-on Mobile Monitoring System (VAMMS) is a cutting-edge technology designed for real-time, on-the-ground smoke and air quality monitoring. VAMMS detects air quality and environmental changes with precision. This project aims to advance VAMMS into an autonomous, commercially viable solution with key engineering upgrades. Based on recommendations from Department of War (DoW) users, the project will enhance the system with advanced sensors for improved detection, upgraded data management with cloud integration for real-time monitoring, enhanced durability with a rugged, weatherproof design, and an optimized user interface for a more intuitive user experience. Ultimately, VAMMS will be deployed for wildland fire research and mitigation on DoW lands, providing critical data to support more effective fire management and air quality monitoring in these operational environments. 

VAMMS prototype is a portable and compact system with turnkey design enabling quick addition to any vehicle. The VAMMS measures PM2.5 and location at one-second intervals with onboard data integration into a format compatible for plug-and-play visualization with a free web application. To date, VAMMS wildfire response user feedback has reported that the tool addresses critical observation data gaps in stationary monitoring networks and supports data acquisition in areas lacking cellular signal or that present difficulties siting a stationary monitor. 

Predicting the location and ground-level concentration of smoke produced from wildland fires is challenging in dynamic environments like military training areas. Advancing the VAMMS technology will allow for faster, more targeted data collection, providing a critical tool for practitioners assessing and communicating ground-level smoke impacts during prescribed fires. The autonomous capabilities of VAMMS enable efficient monitoring without the need for stationary air monitors or personnel exposure to smoke, offering a safer, more flexible and reliable solution for smoke management. This innovation enhances the use of autonomous vehicles in fire-related monitoring, supporting better-informed decision-making, enabling quicker responses, and ultimately strengthening DoW’s operational readiness against wildland fires. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2027)