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An integrated approach to modeling the impact of floods on emergency services: A case study of Calgary, Alberta

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  • Tsang, Michele
  • Scott, Darren M.

Abstract

Floods are becoming more frequent and the magnitude of direct consequences, relating to destruction of critical infrastructure and loss of life, has highlighted the importance of flood management. This study proposes a methodology for quantifying the impact of predicted and historic flood events on emergency services. The approach moves beyond simple flood inundation mapping by accounting for the relationship between flood depth and vehicular speed. A case study is presented for Calgary, Alberta, where the depths of a predicted 100-year flood and a historic 2013 flood event are modeled. The methodology applies geographic information systems to flood depth mapping, utilizing digital elevation models, flood extents, and hydrological data. Flood depths are then assigned to links comprising the road network, where the maximum vehicle speed is calculated as a function of the standing depth of water on a link. The flooded network is used to derive service areas for several types of emergency services (emergency medical services (EMS), fire, and police), following targeted response times. The results locate and quantify the residential and work populations that no longer meet the targeted response times. During both flood scenarios, EMS is found to have the greatest reduction in accessibility, with 23% and 47% of residents and workers, respectively, not served. Fire services are seen to be more resilient with only 3% and 9% of residents and workers, respectively, not served. The results for police services are similar to fire services. However, the former have a greater range of response times, meaning these areas represent those that are completely isolated during both flood events. Overall, the integrated methodology quantifies vulnerable populations on a partially degraded network, the results of which can be used to develop evacuation plans and emergency response strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsang, Michele & Scott, Darren M., 2020. "An integrated approach to modeling the impact of floods on emergency services: A case study of Calgary, Alberta," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:86:y:2020:i:c:s0966692320301137
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102774
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Balijepalli, Chandra & Oppong, Olivia, 2014. "Measuring vulnerability of road network considering the extent of serviceability of critical road links in urban areas," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 145-155.
    2. Andrew Smith & Paul D. Bates & Oliver Wing & Christopher Sampson & Niall Quinn & Jeff Neal, 2019. "New estimates of flood exposure in developing countries using high-resolution population data," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongbin Shi & Miao Zhou & Nana Kong & Yongling Zhang & Xin Li, 2023. "A Study on the Accessibility of the Emergency Medical Services for Urban Kindergartens and Nursing Homes Based on Urban Pluvial Flooding Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Borowska-Stefańska, Marta & Bartnik, Adam & Dulebenets, Maxim A. & Kowalski, Michał & Sahebgharani, Alireza & Tomalski, Przemysław & Wiśniewski, Szymon, 2025. "Changes in the equilibrium of the urban transport system of a large city following an urban flood," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    3. Jiang, Huaxiong & Wang, Yuxiao & Ma, Wei & Wang, Jiao'’e & Zhang, Mengmeng, 2024. "Unlocking the nonlinear Nexus: Accessibility of emergency resource and resident participation in flood response," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    4. Boeing, Geoff & Ha, Jaehyun, 2024. "Resilient by design: Simulating street network disruptions across every urban area in the world," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    5. Boeing, Geoff & Ha, Jaehyun, 2024. "Resilient by Design: Simulating Street Network Disruptions across Every Urban Area in the World," SocArXiv tk93y, Center for Open Science.
    6. repec:osf:socarx:tk93y_v1 is not listed on IDEAS

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