Pedestrian Evacuation Analyst-Geographic Information System Software for Modeling Hazard Evacuation Potential. Chapter 9 of Section C, Geographic Information Systems Tools and Applications, Book 11, Collection and Delineation of Spatial Data

摘要

The Pedestrian Evacuation Analyst software was developed to aid researchers studying pedestrian, self-initiated evacuation from sudden-onset hazards, such as local tsunamis, debris flows, lahars (volcanic mudflows), and flash floods. Detailed analysis of evacuation potential requires a large amount of high-resolution data and multiple processing steps. The software assists the researcher by managing the data files and providing an orderly path through the processing. Multiple geoprocessing operations are automated into as few steps as possible to free up the researchers time for further analysis. In addition, graphing tools aid in (1) results visualization by displaying graphs of at-risk populations according to travel times and (2) decision support through comparisons of vertical-evacuation options. The goal is to provide a research tool for exploratory analysis of evacuation potential on the landscape. Results are intended to initiate risk-reduction and preparedness discussions within communities and not serve as definitive statements on the potential mortality from a certain hazard scenario.