Country: New Zealand
Key Area: Transportation
Services: Research,Science and Technology Development

What would you do in a disaster? How would you travel? Could you contact your family?  Recent events have demonstrated that in a disaster these objectives are very difficult to achieve, as infrastructure shuts down, roads become impassable and phone systems become inoperable.

Opus Central Laboratories is at the forefront of natural hazard response and recovery research. We have been developing a new software tool called “Emergency Event Travel Analysis” (EETA) and although research is in the early stages it has shown promising results.  Interest from government and emergency management groups is high.  The software package can identify and coordinate best routes to follow out of an area of devastation.  The software is based on understanding of the physiological and behavioural traits of travellers, coupled with accurate route forecasting software.

This tool is set to underpin emergency decision-making processes and management. It provides greater functionality for individuals and emergency planners and directors to enhance hazard mitigation, investment prioritisation and emergency-management response and recovery activities.  A variety of hazard modules for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami, floods and storms can be included into the model.