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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2015

Vulnerability assessment and interdependency analysis of critical infrastructures for climate adaptation and flood mitigation

Rodolfo Jr. Espada, Armando Apan and Kevin McDougall

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel approach that examines the vulnerability and interdependency of critical infrastructures using the network theory in…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel approach that examines the vulnerability and interdependency of critical infrastructures using the network theory in geographic information system (GIS) setting in combination with literature and government reports. Specifically, the objectives of this study were to generate the network models of critical infrastructure systems (CISs), particularly electricity, roads and sewerage networks; to characterize the CISs’ interdependencies; and to outline the climate adaptation (CA) and flood mitigation measures of CIS.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated approach was undertaken in assessing the vulnerability and interdependency of critical infrastructures. A single system model and system-of-systems model were operationalized to examine the vulnerability and interdependency of the identified critical infrastructures in GIS environment. Existing CA and flood mitigation measures from government reports were integrated in the above-mentioned findings to better understand and gain focus in the implementation of natural disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies, particularly during the 2010/2011 floods in Queensland, Australia.

Findings

Using the results from the above-mentioned approach, the spatially explicit framework was developed with four key operational dimensions: conceiving the climate risk environment; understanding the critical infrastructures’ common cause and cascade failures; modeling individual infrastructure system and system-of-systems level within GIS setting; and integrating the above-mentioned results with the government reports to increase CA and resilience measures of flood-affected critical infrastructures.

Research limitations/implications

While natural DRR measures include preparation, response and recovery, this study focused on flood mitigation. Temporal analysis and application to other natural disasters were also not considered in the analysis.

Practical implications

By providing this information, government-owned corporations, CISs managers and other concerned stakeholders will allow to identify infrastructure assets that are highly critical, identify vulnerable infrastructures within areas of very high flood risk, examine the interdependency of critical infrastructures and the effects of cascaded failures, identify ways of reducing flood risk and extreme climate events and prioritize DRR measures and CA strategies.

Originality/value

The individualist or “pigeon-hole” approach has been the common method of analyzing infrastructures’ exposure to flood hazards and tends to separately examine the risk for different types of infrastructure (e.g. electricity, water, sewerage, roads and rails and stormwater). This study introduced an integrated approach of analyzing infrastructure risk to damage and cascade failure due to flooding. Aside from introducing the integrated approach, this study operationalized GIS-based vulnerability assessment and interdependency of critical infrastructures which had been unsubstantially considered in the past analytical frameworks. The authors considered this study of high significance, considering that floodplain planning schemes often lack the consideration of critical infrastructure interdependency.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-02-2014-0019
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

  • Resilience
  • Infrastructure
  • Disaster mitigation
  • Built environment
  • Vulnerability
  • Flooding

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Article
Publication date: 26 February 2010

Disaster impact analysis based on inter‐relationship of critical infrastructure and associated industries: A winter flood disaster event

Eun Ho Oh, Abhijeet Deshmukh and Makarand Hastak

Natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina (the most destructive natural calamity in US history), have destructive impact on residents, critical infrastructure, as well…

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Abstract

Purpose

Natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina (the most destructive natural calamity in US history), have destructive impact on residents, critical infrastructure, as well as, functions and services of associated industries in the affected areas. In addition, due to a lack of both understanding of natural disaster impacts and preparedness to the hurricane, it was revealed that the emergency‐related organizations were not prepared to maximize the use of the critical infrastructure to mitigate the impacts. The purpose of this paper is to help those organizations have more understanding of disaster impacts and facilitate their decision making in order to prepare better mitigation plans.

Design/methodology/approach

A disaster impact mechanism and inter‐relationships based on the main functions of associated industries are derived through an extensive literature review and case analyses. Based on these inter‐relationships, a decision support system is developed and evaluated using a winter flood disaster event in the USA as a case study. The level of inter‐relation is chosen as a metric to measure the weights for inter‐relationships between critical infrastructure and associated industries. These weights are obtained through expert interviews and surveys.

Findings

The healthcare industry, for example, is revealed as the most dependent industry and the electricity and transportation infrastructure are the most significant to the communities and the associated industries.

Originality/value

The cell model of the disaster impact mechanism, the inter‐relationship approach, and the use of the concept of level‐of‐service in this paper will contribute to improving the methodology in the area of disaster impact analysis and mitigation.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17595901011026463
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

  • Floods
  • Disasters
  • United States of America

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Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Urban critical infrastructure interdependencies in emergency management: Findings from Abeokuta, Nigeria

David O. Baloye and Lobina Gertrude Palamuleni

The purpose of this paper is to map the cascade effects of emergencies on critical infrastructure in a fast-growing city of a developing country. The paper specifically…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to map the cascade effects of emergencies on critical infrastructure in a fast-growing city of a developing country. The paper specifically seeks to refocus the attention of decision makers and emergency managers towards a more effective way of reducing risk and costs associated with contingencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on a 2D representation of the three initiating events of fire, flood and automobile crashes. Detailed analysis was undertaken of the effects on the critical infrastructure, based on the probability of occurrence, frequency, spatial extent and degree of damage for the emergencies studied. Subsequently, a cascade matrix was generated to analyse the level of interaction or interdependencies between the participating critical infrastructures in the study area. A model of the cascade effects under a typical emergency was also generated using a software model of network trace functions.

Findings

The results show that while different levels of probability of occurrence, frequency and extent of damage was observed on the evaluated critical infrastructure under different emergency events, damage to the electricity distribution components of the critical infrastructure recorded the highest cascade effect for all emergency events.

Originality/value

This paper underlines the need to pay greater attention to providing protection to critical infrastructure in the rapidly growing cities, especially in developing countries. Findings from this study in Abeokuta, Nigeria, underscore the needs to expand the prevailing critical infrastructure protection beyond the current power and oil sectors in the national development plan. They also highlight the urgency for greater research attention to critical infrastructure inventories. More importantly, the results stress the need for concerted efforts towards proactive emergency management procedures, rather than maintaining the established “fire brigade, window dressing” approach to emergency management, at all levels of administration.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-10-2015-0231
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

  • Nigeria
  • Disaster risk reduction
  • Critical infrastructure
  • Cascade effect
  • Interdependencies
  • Urban settlements

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Article
Publication date: 18 November 2011

Impact of flood damaged critical infrastructure on communities and industries

Abhijeet Deshmukh, Eun Ho Oh and Makarand Hastak

The purpose of this paper is to assess the severity of social and economic impact of floods on the communities and industries with respect to their reliance on the flood…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the severity of social and economic impact of floods on the communities and industries with respect to their reliance on the flood impacted critical infrastructure. This paper illustrates a severity assessment tool to determine the reduced serviceability level of critical infrastructure after a disaster, how the change in serviceability impacts activities of associated communities and industries, and the resulting social and economic impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The results presented in this paper are a part of a larger research designed to develop a decision support system for disaster impact mitigation. This research evaluated the impact of floods as a natural hazard on infrastructure and the related industries and communities in terms of criticality and vulnerability of infrastructure and the severity of social and economic impact if the critical infrastructure were to be affected. The overall research focused on the 2008 Midwest floods for the required data collection (including the cities of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Terre Haute, Indiana, St Louis, Missouri, Gulfport and Des Plaines, Illinois). Relevant data were collected through questionnaire surveys, personal interviews, and site visits.

Findings

The data collected through this research highlighted the importance of relationship between infrastructure, communities and industries with respect to technical, social and economic aspects. While the overall research resulted in a Decision Support System with three modules, to assess criticality, vulnerability and severity, this paper only elaborates the Severity Assessment Tool (SAT). Serviceability of an infrastructure plays an important role in post disaster recovery and response. Reduction in the serviceability of an infrastructure also affects the functionality of the activities that depend on the affected infrastructure resulting in social and economic impact. The tool presented in this paper determines the severity of social and economic impact by evaluating the reduction in the functionality of the affected activities.

Originality/Value

The model (SAT) presented in this paper determines the social and economic impact on communities and industries due to natural disaster when the serviceability of disaster impacted critical infrastructure is impaired. This tool can be effectively used by city managers as well as emergency planners for industries and communities in developing mitigation strategies based on the severity of social and economic impact due to the affected critical infrastructure. The results would also help the decision makers in arriving at more effective investment decisions to repair/rehabilitate certain critical infrastructure.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/20441241111180415
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

  • United States of America
  • Floods
  • Communities
  • Decision support systems
  • Disaster risk reduction
  • Social impact
  • Economic impact
  • Critical infrastructure

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Article
Publication date: 22 October 2019

Stimulating the attractiveness of PFI/PPPs using public sector guarantees

Hakeem Owolabi, Lukumon Oyedele, Hafiz Alaka, Muhammad Bilal, Saheed Ajayi, Olugbenga Akinade and Alirat Agboola

Although the UK Guarantee Scheme for Infrastructures (UKGSI) was introduced in 2012 to address the huge financing gap for critical infrastructures, PFI sponsors have so…

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Abstract

Purpose

Although the UK Guarantee Scheme for Infrastructures (UKGSI) was introduced in 2012 to address the huge financing gap for critical infrastructures, PFI sponsors have so far guaranteed only few projects. Many stakeholders in the project finance industry have blamed this situation on lack of general understanding of strategies for harnessing the benefits of the government guarantee scheme. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perspectives of UK’s PFI/PPP stakeholders on critical factors influencing approval for government guarantees using the UKGSI as a focal point.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed methodology approach, this study identified 26 important criteria used in evaluating government guarantee applications through focus group discussions with PFI stakeholders. The identified criteria were then put in questionnaire survey to 195 respondents within the UK PFI/PPP industry.

Findings

Through factor analysis, five critical factors determining successful government guarantee application were unravelled. These include: compliance with UK National Infrastructure Plan; demonstration of project bankability and risk management; value for money; proof of projects’ dependence on government guarantee; and certainty of planning commission’s approval.

Originality/value

Results of this study will facilitate an in-depth understanding of critical factors necessary for accessing government guarantee scheme for PFI/PPPs, while also improving the bankability of potential PFI projects.

Details

World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-05-2018-0055
ISSN: 2042-5961

Keywords

  • Public private partnership (PPP)
  • Stakeholders
  • Public sector
  • UK Guarantee Scheme for Infrastructures (UKGSI)
  • Private finance initiatives (PFI)

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Article
Publication date: 18 March 2019

Cyber threats confronting the digital built environment: Common data environment vulnerabilities and block chain deterrence

Erika A. Parn and David Edwards

Smart cities provide fully integrated and networked connectivity between virtual/digital assets and physical building/infrastructure assets to form digital economies…

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Abstract

Purpose

Smart cities provide fully integrated and networked connectivity between virtual/digital assets and physical building/infrastructure assets to form digital economies. However, industrial espionage, cyber-crime and deplorable politically driven cyber-interventions threaten to disrupt and/or physically damage the critical infrastructure that supports national wealth generation and preserves the health, safety and welfare of the populous. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of cyber-threats confronting critical infrastructure asset management reliant upon a common data environment to augment building information modelling (BIM) implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretivist, methodological approach to reviewing pertinent literature (that contained elements of positivism) was adopted. The ensuing mixed methods analysis: reports upon case studies of cyber-physical attacks; reveals distinct categories of hackers; identifies and reports upon the various motivations for the perpetrators/actors; and explains the varied reconnaissance techniques adopted.

Findings

The paper concludes with direction for future research work and a recommendation to utilize innovative block chain technology as a potential risk mitigation measure for digital built environment vulnerabilities.

Originality/value

While cyber security and digitization of the built environment have been widely covered within the extant literature in isolation, scant research has hitherto conducted an holistic review of the perceived threats, deterrence applications and future developments in a digitized Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) sector. This review presents concise and lucid reference guidance that will intellectually challenge, and better inform, both practitioners and researchers in the AECO field of enquiry.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-03-2018-0101
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

  • Building information modelling
  • Integrated practice
  • Information and communication technology (ICT) applications

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Article
Publication date: 24 February 2012

Subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance for manmade and natural hazards and disasters

Todd White, Samuel T. Ariaratnam and John Michael

The consideration of all aspects of the systems that support a community is necessary to accomplish adequate long range asset planning and protection. The purpose of this…

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Abstract

Purpose

The consideration of all aspects of the systems that support a community is necessary to accomplish adequate long range asset planning and protection. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the addition of a subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance emphasis to an existing series of vulnerability assessment tools used by the State of Arizona, and investigate economic impact (disaster recovery) estimation methods for potential incorporation. The intent is to provide a framework for model development and suggest data to be collected.

Design/methodology/approach

Through modifications of existing system components, a subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance emphasis is proposed for the State of Arizona's current vulnerability assessment tools. Although they can be adjusted as needed, the modifications presented herein include 11 subterranean assets and ten threats to subterranean assets. Furthermore, existing methods for estimating the economic impact of disasters are investigated via literature reviews, e‐mails, and telephone correspondence.

Findings

Regarding the subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance component, a number of emerging technologies are currently available to monitor the various infrastructure elements from the identified potential threats. The process of linking the various data collection elements into a comprehensive surveillance system is currently underway in Arizona. Interim reconnaissance techniques using local statistic models will be applied incrementally while the data integration process is underway. With respect to the economic impact estimation module, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's HAZUS‐MH loss estimation model was identified as a top prospect for testing.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on examining the interdependencies and vulnerabilities of critical subterranean infrastructure. Therefore, critical surface or above ground infrastructure components are not primarily discussed. Additionally, this paper presents only a plan; there are no empirical results to date.

Practical implications

The methodology discussed may be utilized to support the decision‐making process for managing resources used to sustain subterranean infrastructure operations, with the goal of providing resiliency to community support mechanisms.

Originality/value

The specific focus on developing a subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance emphasis in a State's disaster management program is a novel tool for Arizona. The value is to enhance preparation, response, resilience, and recovery from hazards and disasters affecting the State's critical subterranean infrastructure. It is theorized that value will further be generated in a resulting subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance template, which can be adopted by other emergency and disaster management organizations.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17595901211201141
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

  • United States of America
  • Disaster management
  • Forward planning
  • Disaster resilience
  • Critical infrastructure
  • Subterranean infrastructure

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Book part
Publication date: 20 October 2020

Infrastructure Finance Policy, Capital Management and Budgeting Processes, and PPPs as an Infrastructure Financing Option

Jane Beckett-Camarata

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Abstract

Details

Public-Private Partnerships, Capital Infrastructure Project Investments and Infrastructure Finance
Type: Book
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83909-654-920201005
ISBN: 978-1-83909-654-9

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Article
Publication date: 28 December 2020

A resource allocation framework for predisaster resilience management of interdependent infrastructure networks

Jingran Sun, Srijith Balakrishnan and Zhanmin Zhang

Resource allocation is essential to infrastructure management. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodological framework for resource allocation that takes…

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Abstract

Purpose

Resource allocation is essential to infrastructure management. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodological framework for resource allocation that takes interdependencies among infrastructure systems into consideration to minimize the overall impact of infrastructure network disruptions due to extreme events.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking advantage of agent-based modeling techniques, the proposed methodology estimates the interdependent effects of a given infrastructure failure which are then used to optimize resource allocation such that the network-level resilience is maximized.

Findings

The findings of the study show that allocating resources with the proposed methodology, where optimal infrastructure reinforcement interventions are implemented, can improve the resilience of infrastructure networks with respect to both direct and interdependent risks of extreme events. These findings are also verified by the results of two case studies.

Practical implications

As the two case studies have shown, the proposed methodological framework can be applied to the resource allocation process in asset management practices.

Social implications

The proposed methodology improves the resilience of the infrastructure network, which can alleviate the social and economic impact of extreme events on communities.

Originality/value

Capitalizing on the combination of agent-based modeling and simulation-based optimization techniques, this study fulfills a critical gap in infrastructure asset management by incorporating infrastructure interdependence and resilience concepts into the resource allocation process.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-06-2020-0109
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

  • Infrastructure interdependencies
  • Infrastructure resilience
  • Resource allocation
  • Agent-based modeling
  • Simulation-based optimization
  • Critical infrastructure
  • Infrastructure management

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Exploratory analysis of the pathway towards operationalizing resilience in transportation infrastructure management

Ali Mostafavi and Alex Inman

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the pathway toward operationalizing resilience in management of transportation infrastructure.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the pathway toward operationalizing resilience in management of transportation infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach includes a comprehensive survey of the State Transportation Agencies (STA) in the USA. The information collected from the survey is analyzed using statistical analysis to explore the determinants of operationalizing resilience in transportation infrastructure management.

Findings

The results reveal that the current practices of STA need improvement in terms of pre-disaster vulnerability and exposure analysis as well as pre-disaster retrofit and betterment efforts. A pathway toward this end is identified with the major components being: funding availability, integration of efforts across different units, use of risk and vulnerability assessment approaches, and use of resilience indices.

Practical/implications

The pathway, along with the other findings, enhances the understanding of the status quo, drivers, and barriers toward operationalizing resilience in transportation infrastructure management. Such an understanding is critical for infrastructure agencies to better adapt and enhance the resilience of their assets in response to various stressors such as the impacts of climate change as well as natural disasters.

Originality/value

The study presented in this paper is the first of its kind to identify the pathway toward operationalizing resilience in transportation infrastructure management.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-03-2015-0011
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

  • Sustainability
  • Natural disasters
  • Disaster management
  • Systems management
  • Asset management
  • Infrastructure management
  • Disaster planning
  • Transportation infrastructure resilience
  • Transportation agencies

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