A framework for crowd-sourced data collection and context-aware services in Hajj and Umrah

We propose a context aware framework that offers a set of cloud-based services to support a very large Hajj and Umrah crowd by capturing their contexts using smartphones. The proposed framework captures the individual´s context, provides a set of adapted services, and allows being in touch with a subset of one´s community of interest. We leverage the spatiotemporal sensory data captured by our framework to define users´ contexts for optimized services. Our proposed framework is also envisioned to assist the Hajj and Umrah authorities to (1) improve Hajj & Umrah documentation, (2) improve Hajj organization through better understanding of pilgrims´ (individual and crowd) spatial and temporal behavior and needs, and (3) protect pilgrims´ environment through environmental monitoring. In particular, the developed methods, techniques, and algorithms will support the pilgrimage quality of experience. We have tested our system through end-user subjects and due to apply for the upcoming Hajj events. We present our implementation details and the general impression of end users about our system.