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Paper short abstract

The current paper models the actors involved in the deployment of Distributed Acoustic Sensing in the UK using Rasmussen's Risk Management Framework. Social network analysis is applied to examine system dynamics and identify key actors that shape the development and governance of DAS.

Paper long abstract

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is an emerging technology that operationalises datafication by detecting environmental vibrations along the length of dark fibres (unused optical fibre cables), generating continuous streams of analysable data. DAS is already being used to monitor railway tracks and seismic activity, to detect leaks in pipelines, and more. The flexibility and resilience of DAS infrastructure are drawing interest towards its integration into smart cities. The operation of DAS in smart cities is not yet known, but will likely depend on partnerships between various actors ranging from industry to government.

The current paper uses actor maps to model the interdependencies among actors involved in the deployment of DAS in smart cities across the system hierarchy proposed by the Risk Management Framework (Rasmussen, 1997). We have created an actor map representation to examine the ‘layout of decision-makers, planners and actors’ involved within the DAS sociotechnical system in the UK. We then employed social network metrics to interrogate actor prominence and system-level dynamics. By identifying both top-down and bottom-up influences that shape the deployment of DAS, the paper demonstrates how accountability gaps may emerge within the datafied state. We also propose systemic recommendations to promote the development of future, justice-driven governance structures aligned with public interests in regulatory oversight.