Scenario-based Evaluation of Multi-Model Emergency Transportation Operations Towards Better Decision Making in Aging-Focused Humanitarian Logistics

University  Florida State University (FSU)
Principal Investigators  Eren Erman Ozguven, Ph.D.
PI Contact Information  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Phone: 850.410.6146
Email: eozguven@fsu.edu
Funding Source(s)and Amounts  Provided(by each agency or organization)  USDOT: $39,500
Florida State University: $19,750
Total Project Cost  $59,250
Agency ID or Contract Number  DTRT13-G-UTC42-033177-036114
Start and End Dates 1/5/2015 � 12/31/2015
Brief Description of Research Project 

In a recent study funded by the Center for Accessibility and Safety for an Aging Population (ASAP), the PIs successfully developed a comprehensive knowledge base and a detailed multi-modal operational emergency needs assessment that could facilitate safe and accessible evacuation of aging people, and optimize the flow of critical resources into affected disaster regions to satisfy the needs of those who remain. The results of this unique research project, with an application to District 3 as identified by Florida Department of Transportation, indicate that there is no substantial prior work that has synthesized and evaluated these issues. From a transportation planning perspective, this problem becomes even more challenging when we consider implementing these ideas in the context of emergency management/operations plans given the fact that growth among aging Floridians is expected to continue, with those age 60 and older expected to comprise 41% of the state population by 2030. Thus, to ensure and promote the long-term usage of this knowledge base by state/federal agencies and other organizations, it is important to conduct a scenario-based implementation study that will address the following major goals: (a) to extend our previously developed methodology to other Districts of Florida, (b) to create and evaluate new aging-focused emergency evacuation scenarios and case studies using GIS-based transportation network models such as CUBE, and (c) to leverage these tools and findings to inform emergency plans. This project will provide new knowledge for decision support and emergency assistance focusing on the safety, accessibility, speed and reliability issues that are critical for the survival of aging victims in the aftermath of disasters.

Describe Implementation of Research Outcomes (or why not implemented) Place Any Photos Here Pending project completion.
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation (actual, not anticipated) Pending project completion.
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