Multiple attacks on transport infrastructure: an inter-disciplinary exploration of the impact of social networking technologies upon real time information sharing, response, and recovery

Abstract

Terrorist attacks on public mass-transit transport infrastructure, are usually graduated over a number of transport mediums and hubs. These attacks disrupt rescue and coordination efforts, not only to maximize immediate casualties, but also to increase casualty rates because of delays to treatment. We consider that Web 2.0 technologies have produced a paradigm shift in the ways in which emergency response and evacuation on transport networks is coordinated. Part of the challenge is to understand how information proliferates through new social media in real time and the manner in which this information may be used to inform individual decision making in a crisis scenario. This involves considering the nature of networks and game theory, the embedding of social media in transmedia and the role of sentiment. The high level of disciplinary integration within this project is used to work towards overcoming these challenges.