Skip to main content

Improving information access for emergency response in disasters

Natural Hazards volume 66, pages 343–354 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

During disasters, many researchers highlight the efficiency of the various information techniques that are used for emergency response. However, only a few information systems consider on-site and off-site information requirements synchronously. The results achieved by the emergency responders will not be as effective as they should be, since the emergency responders cannot access necessary information. Therefore, this study proposed an approach for dealing with three problems associated with emergency situations, i.e., inadequate escape guidelines for people, incomplete geographical information for relief workers, and insufficient on-site information for disaster managers. In a simulated scenario, when serious debris flows occurred, this study tested the approach. The test results showed that the people rapidly finished self-evacuation, the relief workers effectively completed their on-site relief work, and the disaster managers successfully managed the on-site activities regarding the people and relief workers. Overall, the recommended approach improved information access for emergency response and provided a useful reference for similar applications in disaster management.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

References

  • Abeid J, Allouche E, Arditi D, Hayman M (2003) PHOTO-NET II: a computer-based monitoring system applied to project management. Autom Constr 12(5):603–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balducelli C, D’Esposito C (2000) Genetic agents in an EDSS system to optimize resources management and risk object evacuation. Saf Sci 35:59–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bird D, Roberts MJ, Dominey-Howes D (2008) Usage of an early warning and information system Web-site for real-time seismicity in Iceland. Nat Hazards 47(1):75–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comfort LK, Ko K, Zagorecki A (2004) Coordination in rapidly evolving disaster response systems. Am Behav Sci 48(3):295–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enders A, Brandt Z (2007) Using geographic information system technology to improve emergency management and disaster response for people with disabilities. J Disabil Policy Stud 17(4):223–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fajardo JTB, Oppus CM (2010) A mobile disaster management system using the android technology. WSEAS Trans Commun 9(6):343–353

    Google Scholar 

  • Frassl M (2010) Developing a system for information management in disaster relief—methodology and requirements. In: Proceedings of the 7th international ISCRAM conference, Seattle, WA

  • Gundogdu IB (2010) Applying linear analysis methods to GIS-supported procedures for preventing traffic accidents: case study of Konya. Saf Sci 48:763–769

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holz KP, Hildebrandt G, Weber L (2006) Concept for a web-based information system for flood management. Nat Hazards 38(1–2):121–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horner MW, Widener MJ (2011) The effects of transportation network failure on people’s accessibility to hurricane disaster relief goods: a modeling approach and application to a Florida case study. Nat Hazards 59(3):1619–1634

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaber A, Guarnieri F, Wybo JL (2001) Intelligent software agents for forest fire prevention and fighting. Saf Sci 39:3–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang S, Skibniewski MJ, Yuan Y, Sun C, Lu Y (2011) Ultra-wide band applications in industry: a critical review. J Civil Eng Manag 17(3):437–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamat VR, El-Tawil S (2007) Evaluation of augmented reality for rapid assessment of earthquake-induced building damage. J Comput Civil Eng 21(5):303–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karunasena G, Amaratunga D, Haigh R (2012) Post-disaster construction and demolition debris management: a Sri Lanka case study. J Civil Eng Manag 18(4):457–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khronos (2012) OpenGL ES—the standard for embedded accelerated 3D graphics. Available from http://www.khronos.org/opengles. Accessed 15 October 2012

  • Kim S, George B, Shekhar S (2007) Evacuation route planning: scalable heuristics. In: ACMGIS’07, Seattle, WA

  • Kottapalli VA, Kiremidjian AS, Lynch JP, Carryer ED, Kenny TW, Law KH, Lei Y (2003) Two-tiered wireless sensor network architecture for structural health monitoring. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on smart structures and materials, pp 8–19

  • Lachner J, Hellwagner H (2008) Information and communication systems for mobile emergency response. Inf Syst e-Bus Technol 5:213–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Roux W (2010) The use of augmented reality in command and control situation awareness. South Afr J Military Stud 38(1):115–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee YW, Cheon CM (2007) Simulation to find a shortest escaping route with 3D-GIS using a GRID testbed in an ubiquitous system. In: Proceedings of the 9th WSEAS international conference on automatic control, modeling and simulation, Turkey

  • Meissner A, Luckenbach T, Risse T, Kirste T, Kirchner H (2002) Design challenges for an integrated disaster management communication and information system. In: The first IEEE workshop on disaster recovery networks, NY

  • Milosavljević A, Dimitrijević A, Rančić D (2010) GIS-augmented video surveillance. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 24(9):1415–1433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montoya L (2003) Geo-data acquisition through mobile GIS and digital video: an urban disaster management perspective. Environ Modell Softw 18:869–876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muhren WJ, Van de Walle B (2009) Sensemaking and information management in humanitarian disaster response: observations from the TRIPLEX exercise. In: Proceedings of the 6th international ISCRAM conference, Sweden

  • Ntotsios E, Papadimitriou C, Panetsos P, Karaiskos G, Perros K, Perdikaris PC (2009) Bridge health monitoring system based on vibration measurements. Bull Earthq Eng 7:469–483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Open Geospatial Consortium (2012) OGC® standards and supporting documents. Available from http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards. Accessed 15 October 2012

  • Ponce-Medellín R, Gonzalez-Serna G, Vargas R, Ruiz L (2009) Technology integration around the geographic information: a state of the art. Int J Comput Sci Issues 5:17–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Rindahl G, Mark NKF, Meyer G (2006) Virtual reality in decommissioning projects: experiences, lessons learned and future plans. Available from http://www.iaea.org/inis/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/38/009/38009285.pdf. Accessed 15 October 2012

  • Rokach A, Pinkert M, Nemet D, Goldberg A, Bar-Dayan Y (2008) Standards in collaborative international disaster drills: a case study of two international search-and-rescue drills. Prehospital Disaster Med 23(1):60–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Schall G, Schöning J, Paelke V, Gartner G (2011) A survey on augmented maps and environments: approaches, interactions and applications. In: Veenendaal B (ed) Advances in web-based GIS, mapping services and applications. Taylor & Francis Group, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma A, Gupta M, Bajaj R, Shaw R (2003) From disaster to sustainable community recovery. Reg Dev Dialogue 24(1):53–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas BH, Quirchmayr G, Piekarski W (2003) Through-walls communication for medical emergency services. Int J Human Comput Interact 16(3):477–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai MK, Lee YC, Lu CH, Chen MH, Chou TY, Yau NJ (2012) Integrating geographical information and augmented reality techniques for mobile escape guidelines on nuclear accident sites. J Environ Radioact 109:36–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tserng HP, You JY, Chang CY, Hsiung KH (2011) The hot area evacuation model application in large scale gymnasiums. J Civil Eng Manag 17(2):217–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Tufekci S (1995) An integrated emergency management decision support system for hurricane emergencies. Saf Sci 20:39–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Walle B, Turoff M (2007) Emergency response information systems: emerging trends and technologies. Commun ACM 50(3):29–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Hazard Mitigation and Prevention, National Central University, No. 300, Jhongda Rd., Jhongli City, Taoyuan County, 32001, Taiwan

    Ming-Kuan Tsai & Nie-Jia Yau

Authors
  1. Ming-Kuan Tsai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nie-Jia Yau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ming-Kuan Tsai.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tsai, MK., Yau, NJ. Improving information access for emergency response in disasters. Nat Hazards 66, 343–354 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-012-0485-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-012-0485-x

Keywords

  • Disaster management
  • Emergency response
  • Information management
  • Information system
  • Information technology