Video game-based early and quick safety and stability assessment of critical physical infrastructure affected by disasters

Abstract

Earthquakes have a profound social and economic impact when they hit densely populated urban areas. Early and Quick Safety and Structural Stability Assessment of Critical Physical Infrastructure, affected by large-scale disasters such as earthquakes, is a key task that determines potential outcomes of further activities like urban search and rescue, and recovery of the urban area. This task needs to be conducted as efficient, effective, and consistent as possible. This article presents a preliminary and exploratory effort to understand the role that technology may play in improving assessment of critical physical infrastructure affected by disasters, through a video game-based simulator. Preliminary results include validation from subject matter experts from the Chilean Department of Transportation. The results of this work are encouraging for the development of a national standard capability on conducting assessment of critical physical infrastructure affected by disasters.