Investigation of the Expression Method of Theme-Typhoon Disaster Information

Cong Xiao,Xiaodong Zhang,Zhe Liu,Junming Liu,Keke Han,Ziyao Xing

doi:10.3390/ijgi10030109

Abstract

Typhoon disaster information is characterized by multiple sources, complexity and diversity, and different users of this content have different individual concerns. The expression methods of typhoon disaster information considered in previous research have been relatively simple, which cannot meet the personalized service needs of different users. In this paper, according to the diverse content needs of different users in distinct stages of a typhoon disaster, a typhoon disaster information expression method with a multi-user, multi-stage, multi-channel and multi-element combined mode is investigated. First, the audience and disaster stages are divided via demand analysis, and the demand content is summarized according to the users, stages, and release channels. Similar information is then integrated into the same theme, and it is also determined how information is expressed. Then, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to filter out the important information in each theme. The theme template is then designed according to the characteristics of particular release channels. Finally, a prototype system is developed, and Typhoon Lekima, which impacted China in 2019, is considered as a real case for analysis. The results show that the proposed method can effectively support different users to obtain disaster characteristics at distinct stages of typhoon disasters, evaluate disaster conditions, assist scientific decision-making, and enhance public awareness of risk prevention.

Highlights

Previous research on typhoon disaster information expression has mainly focused on problems including only a single user, single occurrence stage, single expression, and single channel
A theme-based expression method of typhoon disaster information was proposed in the present study
Four distinct audiences were divided via demand analysis, and the division of audiences for typhoon disaster information expression can provide personalized services for different users

Summary

Introduction

The traditional definition of a disaster is composed of three components, namely the hazard-prone environment, the hazard-causing factor, and the hazard-bearing body, which are collectively referred to as the “three elements of disaster.” With the advancement of science and technology and the enhancement of the ability to resist disasters, the resilience could be considered as a fourth element in the definition of ‘disaster.’ Disaster resilience is a comprehensive concept that includes the economic strength of a country, the execution ability of the government and rescuers, the cultural peculiarities of the public, etc., and it determines the country’s ability to respond to and successfully resist to disasters [1].

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion