How new technology can help give advance warning of earthquakes in BC

BC's transportation ministry is looking to purchase 25 new hybrid earthquake sensors that would not only expand the existing strong motion sensor network, but also provide data for early warning systems.

They would be installed on various bridges, providing notice that an earthquake is imminent.

So how does the technology work? And is it something that could work for homeowners as well as major pieces of infrastructure?

Let's bring in Behraad Bahreyni now. He's an Associate Professor with the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University, and he's been developing this kind of sensor technology at SFU.

Guest: Behraad Bahreyni

Associate Professor with the School of Metatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University

BC's transportation ministry is looking to purchase 25 new hybrid earthquake sensors that would not only expand the existing strong motion sensor network, but also provide data for early warning systems.

They would be installed on various bridges, providing notice that an earthquake is imminent.

So how does the technology work? And is it something that could work for homeowners as well as major pieces of infrastructure?

Let's bring in Behraad Bahreyni now. He's an Associate Professor with the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University, and he's been developing this kind of sensor technology at SFU.

Guest: Behraad Bahreyni

Associate Professor with the School of Metatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University