Disaster mitigation in urban Pakistan using agent based modeling with GIS

Abstract

This study aims to propose an application of agent based modeling (ABM) and simulation for disaster mitigation in an urban region of Pakistan. Pakistan has been working over the past few decades to reduce the risk factor of disasters by using different disaster management approaches. However, these efforts are in an early stage. Although lack of planning and unchecked urbanization are the main hurdles, insufficient resources in terms of technology is also a major contributing factor that impedes achieving desired results. In this paper, we are proposing ABM and simulation of approaches using geographical information system (GIS) maps for disaster management in the urban locality of Pakistan. The conceptual model was implemented for analysis of resource allocation (RA) of first response units (ambulances, fire brigade, etc.). In the proposed model, we used two allocation algorithms; high severity level (HSL) and first come first serve (FCFS). These algorithms were simulated in NetLogo by creating a hypothetical disaster scenario in Rawalpindi city. In our experiments, the design was based on demand, resource agents, and their allocation behavior for disaster management. We analyzed the resource allocation mechanism using average wait time, overall number of demands, execution time, and unallocated demands as performance measures.