Shelter Location Research Articles

Hurricane evacuation planning using public transportation

Just before a hurricane is predicted to strike an urban area, millions of people evacuate from impact zones to safer regions. This paper provides a mass-evacuation strategy using public transportation before the strike of a hurricane. The assumptions made are that the evacuation zones, shelter locations, and the time of strike of the hurricane are pre-determined. The evacuation operations commence when the warnings are issued and end when the hurricane strike is predicted to occur. We propose a multi-stage approach. At the first stage is the planning framework, where pickup locations are determined and assigned to shelters, and an initial set of routes is generated along these locations. This is done by weighing each location based on the accumulated demand, and favoring multiple routes to pass through a location with higher demand. In the next stage, each route is assigned a trip number such that 1) routes with higher demand require more trips, and 2) two successive trips to a route are spaced evenly. A simulation tool has been developed to model the dispatching of the given number of buses, stochastic arrival of evacuees, queueing effects at the pickup locations, and the transportation of evacuees to the safety regions. The results from the simulation presented in this paper serve as an evaluation tool for a route design, and a local search heuristic is proposed to effect positive changes in the route design.

Multi-criteria location model of earthquake evacuation shelters to aid in urban planning

Earthquakes are serious natural disasters that can result in significant fatalities and economic loss. The building of earthquake evacuation shelters is an effective way to reduce earthquake disaster risk and protect lives. Current studies on facility location models commonly overlook multiple optimal criteria from an urban planning perspective and are not suited to planning earthquake evacuation shelters. In this study, we describe seven principles for locating earthquake evacuation shelters. Following these principles, we propose a multi-criteria constraint location model that can be used to solve the location problem. We then present an iterative method to solve the model. With the support of a geographic information system (GIS), the method is composed of three steps: select candidate shelters, analyze the spatial coverage of candidate shelters and determine the shelter locations. Finally, a case study is used to demonstrate the application of the multi-criteria model and the corresponding solution method for its effectiveness in planning urban earthquake evacuation shelters. We conclude that the evacuation shelter location model and solution method are effective and suitable to solve the multi-criteria shelter location problem from an urban planning perspective.

데이터 기반의 도로구간별 운전자의 통행행태를 고려한 교통사고지표 개발

고속도로는 중 장거리 차량 통행을 담당하고 있으며, 공공기관들의 지방이전 등으로 인해 직장과 거주지 간의 거리가 멀어짐에 따라 운전자들의 통행거리는 증가 추세를 보이고 있다. 이러한 이유로 고속도로에서는 피로나 졸음으로 인한 운전자요인 사고의 비중이 매우 높다. 하지만 기존의 사고예측 연구에서는 주로 도로요인, 환경요인, 차량요인 등 외적인 조건만을 고려하였을 뿐 도로구간별 운전자의 통행행태를 고려하지 못하였다. 본 연구에서는 대용량 내비게이션 경로자료를 활용하여 통행행태기반의 사고지표(운전피로도지표)를 제안하고, 교통사고와의 관계를 살펴보았다. 분석결과 개발된 지표와 교통사고와는 높은 상관성을 보이는 것으로 나타났으며, 이를 통해 시설물 위주에서 통행행태기반으로 교통사고 예측연구의 패러다임 변화가 필요함을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구에서 제안한 지표는 다양한 분야에서 활용이 가능할 것이다. 교통사고(졸음, 부주의운전 등)를 사전에 방지하기 위한 정보제공, 고속도로 안전진단 핵심요소기술로의 활용, 휴게소 및 졸음쉼터 입지 우선순위 선정 시, 피로한 구간에 대하여 운전자에게 주의환기를 위한 방법(노면요철, 그루빙 등)을 적용해야하는 구간 선정 시 활용이 가능할 것이다. Highway is mainly in charge of middle-long distance of vehicular travel. Trip length has shown a growing trend due to increased commute distances by the relocation of public agencies. For this reason, the proportion of driver-driven accidents, caused by their fatigue or sleepiness, are very high on highways. However, existing studies related to accident prediction have mainly considered external factors, such as road conditions, environmental factors and vehicle factors, without driving behavior. In this study, we suggested an accident index (FDR, Fatigued Driving Rate) based on traffic behavior using large-scale Car Navigation path data, and exlpored the relationship between FDR and traffic accidents. As a result, FDR and traffic accidents showed a high correlation. This confirmed the need for a paradigm shift (from facilities to travel behavior) in traffic accident prediction studies. FDR proposed in this study will be utilized in a variety of fields. For example, in providing information to prevent traffic accidents (sleepiness, reckless driving, etc) in advance, utilization of core technologies in highway safety diagnostics, selection of priority location of rest areas and shelter, and selection of attraction methods (rumble strips, grooving) for attention for fatigued sections.

Macroscopic evacuation plans for natural disasters

Since the 1990s, problems regarding the evacuation of persons have been extensively studied in the literature. The proposed models can be classified into two main categories: macroscopic and microscopic models. The DSS_Evac_Logistic project (2015, http://projets.li.univ-tours.fr/dssvalog/?lang=en) is interested in the evacuation of people in the context of flooding, burning or seismic events for which insecurity, capacity, and time to cross roads vary over time. We consider the problem of large-scale evacuation of medium-sized cities, in situations where the evacuees must change their place of residence for a period ranging from several days to several months. As a part of this project, we assume as solved the problem of selecting a set of starting points and shelter locations. We develop discrete macroscopic models and methods that incorporate the risk and safety that are inherent in the context studied for evacuating persons. The problem that needs to be addressed is to determine the minimum overall evacuation time while minimizing the risk incurred by evacuees (i.e., maximize the amount of unharmed persons). In this context, we first propose a pseudopolynomial method, which is based on the shortest augmenting paths, without using a time-expanded network to tackle the earliest arrival flow and the quickest flow problems no-wait with time-dependent data. Then, we extend this approach to consider the safety criterion.

Mapping snow depth in alpine terrain with unmanned aerial systems (UASs): potential and limitations

Abstract. Detailed information on the spatiotemporal snow depth distribution is a crucial input for numerous applications in hydrology, climatology, ecology and avalanche research. Today, snow depth distribution is usually estimated by combining point measurements from weather stations or observers in the field with spatial interpolation algorithms. However, even a dense measurement network like the one in Switzerland, with more than one measurement station per 10 km2 on average, is not able to capture the large spatial variability of snow depth present in alpine terrain.Remote sensing methods, such as laser scanning or digital photogrammetry, have recently been successfully applied to map snow depth variability at local and regional scales. However, in most countries such data acquisition is costly if manned airplanes are involved. The effectiveness of ground-based measurements on the other hand is often hindered by occlusions, due to the complex terrain or acute viewing angles. In this paper, we investigate the application of unmanned aerial systems (UASs), in combination with structure-from-motion photogrammetry, to map snow depth distribution. Compared to manual measurements, such systems are relatively cost-effective and can be applied very flexibly to cover terrain not accessible from the ground. In this study, we map snow depth at two different locations: (a) a sheltered location at the bottom of the Flüela valley (1900 m a.s.l.) and (b) an exposed location on a peak (2500 m a.s.l.) in the ski resort Jakobshorn, both in the vicinity of Davos, Switzerland. At the first test site, we monitor the ablation on three different dates. We validate the photogrammetric snow depth maps using simultaneously acquired manual snow depth measurements. The resulting snow depth values have a root mean square error (RMSE) of less than 0.07 to 0.15 m on meadows and rocks and a RMSE of less than 0.30 m on sections covered by bushes or tall grass, compared to manual probe measurements. This new measurement technology opens the door for efficient, flexible, repeatable and cost-effective snow depth monitoring over areas of several hectares for various applications, if the national and regional regulations permit the application of UASs.

Mobile Phone and Social Media Use of Homeless Youth in Denver, Colorado

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate homeless youth mobile phone and social media use, to plan health promotion efforts. Nearly half (46.7%) of runaway/homeless youth in this sample (n = 181) owned a mobile phone and a majority of those devices were smart phones. Ownership did not vary significantly by shelter location, though regular use of Facebook was more prevalent among those in housing programs or camping, than those living on the streets. Over 90% of youth in the sample reported using Facebook. Such media use might facilitate parent, family, and health provider communications with homeless youth.

Scenario-Based Multi-Objective Optimum Allocation Model for Earthquake Emergency Shelters Using a Modified Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm: A Case Study in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.

The correct location of earthquake emergency shelters and their allocation to residents can effectively reduce the number of casualties by providing safe havens and efficient evacuation routes during the chaotic period of the unfolding disaster. However, diverse and strict constraints and the discrete feasible domain of the required models make the problem of shelter location and allocation more difficult. A number of models have been developed to solve this problem, but there are still large differences between the models and the actual situation because the characteristics of the evacuees and the construction costs of the shelters have been excessively simplified. We report here the development of a multi-objective model for the allocation of residents to earthquake shelters by considering these factors using the Chaoyang district, Beijing, China as a case study. The two objectives of this model were to minimize the total weighted evacuation time from residential areas to a specified shelter and to minimize the total area of all the shelters. The two constraints were the shelter capacity and the service radius. Three scenarios were considered to estimate the number of people who would need to be evacuated. The particle swarm optimization algorithm was first modified by applying the von Neumann structure in former loops and global structure in later loops, and then used to solve this problem. The results show that increasing the shelter area can result in a large decrease in the total weighted evacuation time from scheme 1 to scheme 9 in scenario A, from scheme 1 to scheme 9 in scenario B, from scheme 1 to scheme 19 in scenario C. If the funding were not a limitation, then the final schemes of each scenario are the best solutions, otherwise the earlier schemes are more reasonable. The modified model proved to be useful for the optimization of shelter allocation, and the result can be used as a scientific reference for planning shelters in the Chaoyang district, Beijing.

Evaluation of shelter performance following the 2013 Moore tornado

Moore, Oklahoma was hit by an EF5 tornado on May 20, 2013. The tornado track slightly overlapped with two previous tornadoes that occurred on May 3, 1999 and May 8, 2003 respectively. A research team from Texas Tech University was deployed to investigate the performance of shelters based on observation of their post-storm conditions. Sixty-one shelter units were further documented by size, manufacturer, and date of installation if available. Then they were crossed referenced with the external databases to determine their compliance with design and construction standards by the International Code Council/National Storm Shelter Association and/or criteria from the Federal Emergency Management Agency publications. Wind intensity was estimated for each shelter location using the EF scale. Results showed a marked increase in the number of exterior underground shelters as well as the popularity of a new in-garage floor underground shelter design. All of the units provided protection for their occupants with no loss of life reported. However, one older shelter had a door failure due to neglect of maintenance. Recommendations were made to improve future performance of shelters.

Spatial patterns of larval settlement and early post-settlement survivorship of Mytilus galloprovincialis in a Galician Ría (NW Spain). Effect on recruitment success

Larval settlement and recruitment play an important role on the population dynamics of marine benthic invertebrates, and are key factors in the management of aquaculture industries. In order to check the current strategies of mussel seed gathering from collector ropes in the Ria of Ares-Betanzos (NW Spain), this work analyses the seasonal and spatial variability of larval settlement and recruitment of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, as well as the relationship between settlement and recruitment. Our results highlight the importance of the hydrographic characteristics of the Ría de Ares-Betanzos on the spatial distribution of larval settlement and on the early post-settlement mortality, which determines recruitment success. The spatial distribution of larval settlement, with higher abundances in the northern-shore but significant larval retention in the southern culture areas, is in agreement with the positive subtidal circulation of this embayment and the larger residence times in the southern shore. The positive subtidal circulation of the Ría favours larval transport from the culture areas located in the south to the northern shore, while the larger residence times allow larval retention in the southern shore. The strong linear relationship between settlement and recruitment suggest density-independent mortality and allowed estimating recruitment abundances and short-term survival rates. The highest and lowest post-settlement mortalities were registered at the most external and sheltered locations respectively, suggesting that the vulnerability to the hydrodynamic stress may be the main cause of early post-settlement mortality of mussel juveniles on suspended substrates. Our results confirm that the sheltered culture polygons located in the inner area of the Ría of Ares-Betanzos are favourable environments for the recruitment of Mytilus galloprovincialis spat, supporting the current strategies of seed gathering from collector ropes in the Ría of Ares-Betanzos.

도로경사와 연령별 보행속도 차이를 고려한 자연재난 대피소의 입지분석 - 서울시 사례분석

In Korea, local governments have decided the location of shelters as part of their disaster planning. However, no quantitative standards, such as assuming different hazard and shelter types, shelters` capacity, are specified in that planning. To propose the direction of disaster evacuation policy, first of all, the current state of shelters` location and evacuation area is needed to be analyzed. In addition, considering topographical condition such as road slope and physical strength by age are important factors to measure optimal evacuation route. The purpose is to suggest a new methodology of estimating optimal evacuation route considering resistance of road slope and difference of walking speed by age. Moreover, as a case study of Seoul, Korea, using coverage analysis of GIS analysis tool, the accessible area (or vulnerable area) to the shelters is evaluated based on the spatial distribution of disaster evacuation shelters and their accommodation capacity, according to evacuation time within 7.5, 15 and 30 minutes. The main results are summarized as follows: 1) The average area of disaster evacuation shelter per person is calculated as 0.45 square meters. Considering that the minimum shelters` area per person is 1 square meters, only 45% of people in Seoul can be accommodated. 2) The ratio of inhabitants who live in accessible area within 7.5 minutes presents only 33% of all. Furthermore, the ratio of inhabitants by age group of 5~9 or over 65 years old shows significantly lower percentage in comparison with 15~49 years old people.

Research on the Location Model of Emergency Rescue Facilities in the City Disaster Prevention

In order to solve the location problem of the city disaster emergency rescue facilities, it applied the multi-objective decision method to resolve the problem. Firstly it described the types of emergency facilities in the city and proposed the basic principles of the location decision. Then it analyzed the four factors of the location decision, and it established the multi-objective decision model of the emergency rescue facilities location, which based on the integration of traditional location models. And then it used the linear weighted sum law to solve the model, and can readjust the weights of the goals to reach the satisfying plan. Finally, it applied the model to solve the emergency shelter location problem of the new area in the Zhengzhou. The result shows the feasibility and the effectiveness of the model which used the multi-objective decision method to solve the location problem of the city disaster emergency rescue facilities.

Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Partial Shading on Photovoltaic Cells’ Electrical Parameters

The short-circuit current (Isc), the open-circuit voltage (Voc), and the maximum power point (VMPP,IMPP) of monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon solar cells under three kinds of partial shading patterns have been investigated experimentally. The partial shades are, respectively, the nine shelter locations by 1 cm × 1 cm black card, the six shelter locations by 2 cm × 1 cm black card, and the center shelters with isosceles triangle, circle, square, and two rectangles black cards whose areas are 2 cm2. Firstly, the results show that the partial shading causes disproportional high losses on those parameters of both cells but will have a minimal effect onVoc. Secondly, it is found that those parameters of the monocrystalline cell are less dependent on the shading than that of the multicrystalline cell. Thirdly, it is noted thatIscandIMPPof both cells will be decreasing dramatically as a rectangular black shading card with a long side parallel to cell’s finger, compared with that normal to cell’s finger. Finally, it can be seen that the effects of shading on the electrical parameters of both cells will be suppressed when the border lines of shading match the size of the shaded cell.

Supporting Mobility-Impaired Populations in Emergency Evacuations

A person with impaired mobility is one of the most vulnerable in emergencies. During an evacuation, the mobility-impaired need special arrangements while being transported to shelters and special accommodations during their shelter stays. When resources are limited, not all shelters can be specially equipped for low-mobility evacuees. The problem of simultaneously choosing a particular subset of shelters to equip, matching persons with impaired mobility to these shelters, and routing paratransit vehicles to bring passengers to shelters accordingly is addressed. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer program, and a heuristic appropriate for solving real-world, large-scale instances is proposed. These solution strategies can form the basis of a practical tool to be used for evacuation planning. An evacuation scenario is constructed based on the basis of real-world evacuation zones, shelter locations, and population statistics for New York City, and this scenario is used to evaluate the heuristic.

Model of Sustainable Wellbeing on Decent House Study Case of Bekasi City, West Java, Indonesia

The core goal of the SDGs is to achieve public welfare through holistic approaches and processes (UN, 2012). One of the objectives of SDGs is cities and human settlements inclusive safe, resilient and sustainable. The ability of individuals and government in providing a decent housing could be considered as an important factor for sustainable housing environment. On the other hand, economic growth in urban areas could lead to the urbanization in urban area and migration in the hinterland area to find a shelter location. It maytrigger the improper land utilizations.Urbanization puts a pressure on limited land resources, and, in turn, may have a negative impact on well-being sustainability. House quality could form the housing profile. The adequate housing profile reflects a quality of life, and quality of life itself reflects the well-being as well. This study proposes an estimated model of sustainability to find the housing sustainable indices to the built environment which can be used as one of measurements for a household welfare.This study was conducted in Bekasi City of Indonesia as an emerging urban development in the hinterland area of Jakarta Metropolitan. This research methods combined sampling techniques of stratified and cluster treatments. From the research methods and spatial analysis, the model to measure the well-being referring to the built environment was obtained. The result shows that the sustainable housing environment quality is the core aspect of well-being. However, it is triggered by human quality.

Rock shelters in Slovenian Istria as a potential for the development of geotourism in the region

Geotourism is a special form of tourism which focuses on visiting geological and geomorphological sites. In the article we discuss the basic terms regarding geotourism, geodiversity and geoconservation, and then present the main features of rock shelters, i.e. landforms whose formation has not yet been elucidated. In our opinion rock shelters in Slovenian Istria have a potential to become sites for geotourism. We evaluated the geotourism potential of five rock shelter locations: Veli Badin, Strkljevica, Mi{ja pe~, Stena and Kav~i~. The results of the evaluation show that three of the chosen rock shelter locations have a potential to develop as geotourist sites. Research confirmed our assumptions that the lack of scientific knowledge about rock shelters is a weakness from the geotourist point of view. Beside more detailed research on rock shelters, other activities, e.g. management of the sites, creating tourist activities, information material etc. are also needed if we want rock shelters to become geotourist sites in the future.

Compromising system and user interests in shelter location and evacuation planning

Traffic management during an evacuation and the decision of where to locate the shelters are of critical importance to the performance of an evacuation plan. From the evacuation management authority’s point of view, the desirable goal is to minimize the total evacuation time by computing a system optimum (SO). However, evacuees may not be willing to take long routes enforced on them by a SO solution; but they may consent to taking routes with lengths not longer than the shortest path to the nearest shelter site by more than a tolerable factor. We develop a model that optimally locates shelters and assigns evacuees to the nearest shelter sites by assigning them to shortest paths, shortest and nearest with a given degree of tolerance, so that the total evacuation time is minimized. As the travel time on a road segment is often modeled as a nonlinear function of the flow on the segment, the resulting model is a nonlinear mixed integer programming model. We develop a solution method that can handle practical size problems using second order cone programming techniques. Using our model, we investigate the importance of the number and locations of shelter sites and the trade-off between efficiency and fairness.

Planning emergency shelter locations based on evacuation behavior

This study investigates the challenges of emergency shelter location planning during disaster events. Previous research has been hindered by the inability to consider both the service capacity and the mobility of the road network and by the lack of a method for assigning evacuees to emergency shelters after a disaster causes road closures. This study proposes a framework for the use in a developed catchment to determine where to locate safe and convenient emergency shelters based on evacuation behavior. The model uses space syntax and road-closure indices based on mobility-based evacuation to produce a safety and mobility of the road-network index using geographic information systems. The results describe four regional evacuation areas: isolated islands, deliberate evacuation areas, temporary settlements, and local disaster preparedness areas. This study contributes to an integrated framework for the equitable distribution of emergency shelters and provides insights into evacuation planning practices.

Volcanic risk perception in northern Chiapas, Mexico

The eruptions of El Chichon volcano on March–April 1982 impacted at least 51 communities located in the surroundings of the volcano causing the death of about 2,000 people in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. In this work, we evaluate the risk perception in five of these communities: Juarez, Ostuacan, Pichucalco, Reforma, and Sunuapa. Our results indicate that (1) people perceive very low volcanic risk; (2) about 95 % of the population do not know the current activity of the volcano and consider that the authorities do not inform properly about these issues to their communities; (3) the response of the authorities is considered deficient mainly because it was unable to provide enough shelters, storage facilities, food, medicine, and health care during the eruption; and (4) approximately 70 % of the population will not accept to be relocated in case of another eruption because they do not know any plan, strategy, emergency schemes, shelter locations, or evacuation routes. These results are important because according to the local state government, more than 100,000 people will be directly impacted in case of the occurrence of a similar eruption to the one in 1982. Perception of risk plays an important role for developing mitigation and response plans in this region. Thus, the level of volcanic risk perception is an important element of the existing social vulnerability of the five studied communities.

Scenario-based preparedness plan for floods

The increasing trend of disaster victims globally is posing a complex challenge for disaster management authorities. Moreover, to accomplish successful transition between preparedness and response, it is important to consider the different features inherent to each type of disaster. Floods are portrayed as one of the most frequent and harmful disasters, hence introducing the necessity to develop a tool for disaster preparedness to perform efficient and effective flood management. The purpose of the article is to introduce a method to simultaneously define the proper location of shelters and distribution centers, along with the allocation of prepositioned goods and distribution decisions required to satisfy flood victims. The tool combines the use of a raster geographical information system (GIS) and an optimization model. The GIS determines the flood hazard of the city areas aiming to assess the flood situation and to discard floodable facilities. Then, the multi-commodity multimodal optimization model is solved to obtain the Pareto frontier of two criteria: distance and cost. The methodology was applied to a case study in the flood of Villahermosa, Mexico, in 2007, and the results were compared to an optimized scenario of the guidelines followed by Mexican authorities, concluding that the value of the performance measures was improved using the developed method. Furthermore, the results exhibited the possibility to provide adequate care for people affected with less facilities than the current approach and the advantages of considering more than one distribution center for relief prepositioning.

Disaster management: hierarchical structuring criteria for selection and location of temporary shelters

Humanitarian logistics refers to the processes and systems involving the mobilization of people, resources and expertize to help vulnerable communities affected by natural disasters and complex emergencies, reducing the loss of lives and relieving human suffering. With regard to disaster management, one of the most important tasks is decision making. The lack of criteria with respect to the selection and location of temporary shelters, for example, can lead to unforeseen factors, threatening the quality of the logistics operation as a whole. A decision-making process can be aided by several models such as multi-criteria models, which address problems whose objectives require a global and comprehensive view of the situation. Among the possible perspectives of analysis, there is the identification of criteria that are relevant to decision making. In that sense, this paper presents the criteria and important aspects that should be addressed by a multi-criteria model for risk management, specifically in regard to moving and temporary sheltering the population affected by a disaster. Qualitative and quantitative aspects were identified, summing up to ten criteria. These criteria and their sub-criteria were hierarchically structured.