Natural Hazard Observer Nov 2005

Home Browse Search

• Develop next generation network architectures for real- Key research requirements: time data sharing from distributed sensors • Encourage investment in developing-, modeling; and Major technology investments: = -- monitoring impacts of cost - effective and beneficial miti- gation technologies ,J Deploy anintegrated, reliable information infrastructure • Continue development of smart structural systems that that provides real -time access to data and models for _ detect and respond to changes in structure and infra- r - " hazard analysis, consequence %recasting, and rapid de- -- structure condition and that predict failure tection of negative outcomes • Continue development -of new materials and cost- Develop universally" adopted standards for data sharing - effective technologies to retrofit existing inventory of ` to speed transfer of information buildings, bridges, and other lifeline structures -. • Incorporate geographical location data into systems that_ • Create integrated" all-hazards_ methodologies for engi- provide real -time, -high quality, integrated social and neered systems - environmental inform_ ation for emergency response pur- poses - - Grand Challenge " #4- Recognize and reduce vulnerabil- ity of interdependent critical_ infrastructure. Protecting Grand Challenge #2— Understand the natural processes critical infrastructure systems, or lifelines, is- essential to that produce hazards.- To improve forecasting and pre- developing disaster- resilient communities. To be success - - diction, scientists and engineers -must continue to pursue ful, scientists'and communities must identify and address basic research on the natural processes that produce haz- _ the interdependencies of "these lifelines at a systems level ards and understand how and when natural processes be- (e.g. communications, electricity, financial, gas, sewage, come hazardous. New data must be collected and incorpo- transportation, and water) with . input from scientists and rated into advanced and validated models that- support'an engineers. Using integrated models of interdependent sys- im p roved understanding of underlying natural system terns, additional vulnerabilities can be identified and then ; processes, including the damage caused by wind and in- addressed. Protecting critical infrastructure provides ,a- - undation, and enhance assessment of the impacts. solid foundation.from which the community can respond - - = - to hazards rapidly and effectively. _ Key research requirements: • Continue and improve data collection and observations Key research requirements:,' of hazard - related processes • Develop improved assessment methods for analyzing the • Develop and improve forecasting models and visualiza- vulnerability and interdependence of infrastructure sys - - - tion techniques to provide timely and accurate- informa- tems tion - on the occurrence of hazardous events, cone- -_ •' Develop innovative assessment models for emergency ' quences, and - immediate steps that should: be taken to = response procedures, including addressing all threats to reduce impacts '" ._ - J__ public health rapidly and effectively - • Improve methods for validating these models - .- • Create and accelerate improvements in models of physi- Major technology investments: - _ cal, chemical, and biological processes to "enable a_ • Develop information acquisition systems that can be greater understanding of hazard interdependencies, pre- used to validate evaluation of resilience and response- - dictive pattern, impacts, -and cumulative effects on life, • Identify and deploy cost- effective technologies "that en- property, and the environment sure survivability of critical utilities and other infra- structures > Major technology investments: - • Expand and improve the network that provides access to Grand Challenge #5— Assess disaster resilience using., computational and simulation resources- 'necessary for standard methods. Federal agencies must work with uni- analysis and prediction versities, local governments, and the private sector to - identify effective standards ' and metrics for assessing dis- ' Grand Challenge #3— Develop hazard mitigation strate- aster resilience. With consistent factors and regularly up- ' gies and technologies. To prevent or-reduce damage from dated metrics, _communities will be able to maintain report- natural hazards, scientists must invent —and communities cards- that accurately assess the community's relative level - must implement -- affordable and effective hazard mitiga- of disaster resilience. Validated models, standards, and \.tion _ strategies, including_ land use planning and zoning metrics _are needed for estimating cumulative- losses, pro laws that recognize the risks of natural hazards. The scien- jecting the impact of changes in technology and policies, - - tific and -engineering community can contribute - to devel- and monitoring the overall l estimated - economic loss avoid- oping such strategies and work with to turn ante of planned- action_ s: - research into practice. In addition, technologies such as _ disaster- resilient design and materials and smart structures Key research requirements: f that respond to changing conditions must be used for de- • Establish methods and standards fox evaluation of-resil- velopment in hazardous areas. J fence to hazards to _include economic, ecological, end J technological consequences.of disasters • Use standard °methods to gauge improvement in resil- ience following investments in planning and mitigation - \ Natural Hazards Observer November 2005 2 !.