ABSTRACT

Hurricanes affect millions of people in the U.S. every year and cause billion-dollar economic losses. Florida is one of the states in the U.S. which is vulnerable to hurricanes and major infrastructure damages were reported due to these extreme events such as Hurricane Hermine (2016). This study aims to assess the impacts of Hermine on the transportation network of Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, using a spatial-analytical approach and real-world hurricane data on roadway closures, power outages, power network configuration, and other storm-related variables. First, a geographic information systems (GIS)-based analysis was utilised to obtain the spatial patterns of hurricane-induced roadway closures along with power outages, power lines, downed trees, and the city’s flood hazard zones. Second, a statistical model was developed to understand the association between the aforementioned variables and roadway closures. The spatial model results revealed that the roadway closures and power outages almost have the same patterns, and the city centre experienced more disruptions than other areas. The statistical model findings indicated that the power outages and power lines have strong relationships with roadway closures. The obtained knowledge of this study can provide valuable information for city officials to prepare better emergency policies for future potential hurricanes.

摘要

飓风每年影响美国数百万人，造成数十亿美元的经济损失。佛罗里达州是美国易受飓风影响的州之一，据报道，由于这些极端事件，例如飓风 Hermine（2016 年），导致重大基础设施损坏。本研究旨在评估 Hermine 对佛罗里达州首府塔拉哈西交通网络的影响，使用空间分析方法和真实世界的飓风数据，了解道路关闭、停电、电网配置和其他风暴相关变量. 首先，利用基于地理信息系统 (GIS) 的分析来获取飓风导致的道路封闭以及停电、电力线、倒下的树木和城市洪水危险区的空间模式。第二，开发了一个统计模型来了解上述变量与道路封闭之间的关联。空间模型结果显示，道路封闭和停电几乎具有相同的模式，并且市中心比其他地区经历了更多的中断。统计模型结果表明，停电和电力线路与道路封闭有很强的关系。本研究获得的知识可以为城市官员为未来潜在的飓风制定更好的应急政策提供有价值的信息。统计模型结果表明，停电和电力线路与道路封闭有很强的关系。本研究获得的知识可以为城市官员为未来潜在的飓风制定更好的应急政策提供有价值的信息。统计模型结果表明，停电和电力线路与道路封闭有很强的关系。本研究获得的知识可以为城市官员为未来潜在的飓风制定更好的应急政策提供有价值的信息。