Equitable Flood Impact Analysis Integrating GeoAI and Digital Twin Modeling

This research proposal aims to explore the interdependencies between water and transportation infrastructures in urban areas. The flood risks and their impacts on infrastructure and livelihoods such as transportation mobility and accessibility will be assessed with a focus on social equity; for example, low-income households are more likely to live in high-risk zones, face higher damages, and are less able to recover. The project will use a data-driven approach to quantify the impacts at two scales: (1) macroscopic scale (such as a town or city) using GeoAI tools, and (2) microscopic scale (such as a census tract) using digital twin model. GeoAI tools integrate geospatial analysis with machine learning methods. In this project, the tool will integrate time-series-based traffic, precipitation, and hydrology data with the publicly available datasets on mobility and disadvantage indices. The City of Greensboro in North Carolina will be used as a testbed for the application of the GeoAI tool. For the microscopic scale of analysis, a census tract with the highest flood risk will be adopted for digital twin modeling. Digital twin models will provide a high-fidelity representation of real-world systems by integrating diverse datasets, such as topography, hydrology, and transportation infrastructure. Key outputs include an integrated GeoAI-based traffic-water infrastructure analysis, a case study using the digital twin model for microscopic impacts of flooding, and shared geographic information system (GIS) tools for mitigation strategies and policies. The research outcome will be useful in providing managerial and operational guidance on ways to address inequity issues during such events. The project aligns well with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT’s) sustainability goal by facilitating agency collaboration and addressing climate resilience.

Language

  • English

Project

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01897933
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Connected Communities for Smart Mobility Towards Accessible and Resilient Transportation for Equitably Reducing Congestion (C2SMARTER)
  • Contract Numbers: 69A3552348326
  • Files: UTC, RIP
  • Created Date: Oct 30 2023 11:02PM