NASA REASoN PROJECT Research, Education and Applications Solution Network

Dr. Susan Cutter's Project

III. Spatial Modeling of Human Risk and Vulnerability to Hazards Using A Spatial Decision Support System (led by Dr. Susan Cutter)

In the event of various natural disasters (e.g., a Hurricane), this remote sensing-assisted SDSS interfaces with FEMA's decision support systems (e.g., HAZUS-MH) and utilizes various remote sensing systems to a) predict the projected path of the disaster (e.g., flooding due to storm surge), b) model human risk and vulnerability (e.g., identify the spatial distribution of specific populations at risk such as the elderly), c) make recommendations about when and how people should prepare for the event (e.g., evacuation; including the most efficient route), d) monitor the impact and/or destruction caused by the event, and e) help plan for and monitor reconstruction after the event. Important NASA satellites include: Landsat 5, Landsat 7, ASTER, GOES, MISR. Important NOAA satellites include AVHRR and GOES. The system also makes use of high spatial resolution satellite data (e.g., < 1 x 1 m from Space Imaging IKONOS, ImageSat International, and/or DigitalGlobe QuickBird) to distribute population information throughout the study area. This SDSS interfaces with the Remote Sensing Hazard Guidance System described in Dr. Hodgson's project.