Assessment of Advanced Technologies for Loss Estimation

This document provides an assessment of the current state of advanced airborne and spaceborne remote sensing and ground-based technologies applicable to the analysis of seismic risk and vulnerability of buildings and lifeline systems. Continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) ground deformation monitoring and seismological networks provide critical measurements for understanding the earthquake process. Real-time seismological systems used for early warning and rapid response rely on the ability to perform real-time waveform inversions to provide earthquake parameters during the actual rupture process. Integration of GPS network data with seismic data helps distinguish the effects of wave propagation from those of earthquake rupture. However, the growth of remote sensing systems has created arguably the most significant opportunity for improving loss estimation methodologies. Maps and information products derived from remotely sensed imagery increasingly support seismic information. Imaging man-made structures and lifelines with remote sensing is an emergent capability. Developing an inventory of structures and lifelines is a critical element in loss estimation methodologies. No one is currently developing quantitative databases of the built environment by extracting information from remote sensing imagery. There is a need for a multidisciplinary approach to the theoretical and practical integration of remote sensing with dense seismographic and GPS networks. This document provides an assessment of the current state of advanced remote sensing and ground-based technologies that are applicable to the analysis of seismic risk and its impact on the vulnerability of buildings and lifeline systems in loss estimation methodologies. Advanced technologies as categorized herein refer to sensors, instruments and their platforms (i.e. aircraft, un-manned aerial vehicles and satellites), data, data storage and delivery systems, image processing, visualization, display capabilities and telecommunications. Benefits that could be derived from the application and adoption of new technological capabilities suggest the development of: G Innovative procedures for assessing the seismic hazard potential of large urban regions; G Alternative approaches for developing regional damage or vulnerability models for buildings and lifelines; G Cost-effective procedures for creating building and lifeline inventories; G Rapid loss estimation and model calibration methodologies for post-earthquake damage assessment. Ground-based technologies such as continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) ground deformation monitoring networks and seismological systems for real-time response provide critical measurements for understanding the earthquake process and its impact on the built environment. G Identifying active blind faults and testing models of tectonics; G Measuring local variations in strain rate that might reveal the mechanical properties of earthquake faults; G Measuring …