Using SDI and web-based system to facilitate disaster management

Abstract

Spatial data and related technologies have proven to be crucial for effective collaborative decision-making in disaster management. However, there are currently substantial problems with availability, access and usage of reliable, up-to-date and accurate data for disaster management. This is a very important aspect to disaster response as timely, up-to-date and accurate spatial data describing the current situation is paramount to successfully responding to an emergency. This includes information about available resources, access to roads and damaged areas, required resources and required disaster response operations that should be available and accessible for use in a short period of time. Any problem or delay in data collection, access, usage and dissemination has negative impacts on the quality of decision-making and hence the quality of disaster response. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize appropriate frameworks and technologies to resolve current spatial data problems for disaster management. This paper aims to address the role of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) as a framework for the development of a web-based system as a tool for facilitating disaster management by resolving current problems with spatial data. It is argued that the design and implementation of an SDI model and consideration of SDI development factors and issues, together with development of a web-based GIS, can assist disaster management agencies to improve the quality of their decision-making and increase efficiency and effectiveness in all levels of disaster management activities. The paper is based on an ongoing research project on the development of an SDI conceptual model and a prototype web-based system which can facilitate sharing, access and usage of spatial data in disaster management, particularly disaster response.