Global Earthquake Model – Inventory Data Capture Tools
Background
The IDCT project saw ImageCat lead a team of 11 organizations from five countries teaming to develop a suite of open-source software and protocols to support participatory population of a Global Exposure Database of structural information. Several data collection methods were used: remote sensing, direct field observations, and statistically-inferred mapping schemes. The tools were designed to collect pre-earthquake inventory, as well as post-event damage data: rudimentary building information from optical satellite or aerial sensors, including the building footprints and height. Field-based observations collected on digital and paper tools by survey teams allow expert users to generate detailed structural information, including structural type, year built, and occupancy. Mapping schemes allow the generation of exposure information for user-defined areas of homogenous urban land use, using sampled field observations. These methods converge to feed GEM's Global Exposure Database and the Earthquake Consequences Database. ImageCat were Principal Investigators and managed the production of 19 deliverables, including open-source mobile applications, currently being used in DRM activities globally. The tools were tested in Greece, Italy, UK, USA and Kyrgyzstan.
There are three main components of the IDCT suite: Remote sensing tools and protocols are used to process imagery to derive building footprints. The Sampling and Field tools and protocols allow teams to characterize building attributes using a series of data collection forms and mobile digital apps (Android and Windows operating systems). In the third component, the Spatial Inventory and Damage Data (SIDD) tool combines these data sources and uses a statistical approach to develop mapping schemes and exposure data for the GED, described extensively in the project above. An essential component of SIDD is its flexibility in the variety and type of data entered into it by the user. Depending on the data available to the user, the tool creates building data from one or a combination of three data types: expert opinion and scientific literature, direct observation and individual building statistics. This makes it ideal for expansion into new areas with various levels of detail. Data from remote sensing or the field tools are not absolutely required to develop GEM compatible data using the IDCT tools. Users can simply develop data using nothing but an alternative view of the building stock, which can be characterized through the mapping schemes.
Objective
To develop a suite of open-source software and protocols to support participatory population of a Global Exposure Database of structural information
Results
Charles Huyck was the architect of the SIDD software, and was the liaison with the GED development team. Zhenghui Hu developed the SIDD tool. ImageCat staff prepared and tested the protocols, especially on the remote sensing side, as well as beta tested the apps and software developed.
Scope
All Countries
Year
2010-2014
Status
Completed
Partners
11 international Organizations including Keith Porter at SPA Risk LLC
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