Special needs hurricane shelters and the ageing population: development of a methodology and a case study application. Issue 1 (28th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Horner, Mark W.; Ozguven, Eren Erman; Marcelin, Jean Michael; Kocatepe, Ayberk
• Is Part Of: Disasters. Volume 42:Issue 1(2018:Jan.)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 186
• Publication Date: 2017-04-28
• Subjects: ageing population -- geographic information systems (GIS) -- hurricanes -- shelters -- spatial optimisation -- special needs; Disasters -- Periodicals; Disaster relief -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1111/disa.12233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0361-3666

Abstract

Abstract : Recent experience of hurricanes, particularly in the southeast United States, has heightened awareness of the multifaceted nature of and the challenges to effective disaster relief planning. One key element of this planning is providing adequate shelter at secure locations for people who evacuate. Some of these individuals will have 'special needs', yet there is little research on the relationship with shelter space. This study designed a geographic information systems‐based network optimisation methodology for the siting of special needs hurricane relief shelters, with a focus on the transportation component. It sought to find new locations for shelters that maximise accessibility by vulnerable populations, given capacity constraints, concentrating on the ageing population. The framework was implemented in a medium‐sized metropolitan statistical area in the state of Florida where data suggest a possible deficit in special needs shelter space. The study analysed options for increasing special needs shelter capacity, while considering potential uncertainties in transportation network availability.