For flood risk assessment, it is necessary to quantify the uncertainty of spatiotemporal changes in floods by analyzing space and time simultaneously. This study designed and tested a methodology for the designation of evacuation routes that takes into account spatial and temporal inundation and tested the methodology by applying it to a flood-prone area of Seoul, Korea. For flood prediction, the non-linear auto-regressive with exogenous inputs neural network was utilized, and the geographic information system was utilized to classify evacuations by walking hazard level as well as to designate evacuation routes. The results of this study show that the artificial neural network can be used to shorten the flood prediction process. The results demonstrate that adaptability and safety have to be ensured in a flood by planning the evacuation route in a flexible manner based on the occurrence of, and change in, evacuation possibilities according to walking hazard regions.

The spatial equity of outdoor evacuation sites designated for emergency evacuation must be secured. In particular, public administrators must ensure spatial equity in preparing for unpredictable evacuation demands, such as earthquakes. This study analyzed the spatial equity of earthquake evacuation shelters in Daegu, South Korea, by using population data at the local level by time- and date-based mobile phone location data (i.e., floating population data). We compared our analysis of the spatial equity and error rate in this case with census data. Ultimately, our results demonstrate that the use of census population data can cause significant error in evaluations of the equity of evacuation shelter accessibility when the floating population data acquired through mobile phone location data are assumed exact.

A sufficient supply of water for firefighting is critical for effective responses to urban fires, thus reducing fire hazards. The aim of this study was the development of an analysis method for vulnerable areas with respect to firefighting activities that require the use of fire hydrants. In particular, a method was proposed for the determination of the operational range of firefighting activities based on the distribution of the fire hydrants and the roads that allow for the passage of firefighting vehicles. The proposed method, which employs a geographic information system (GIS), was applied to Buk-gu, Daegu City, South Korea. The research results revealed that the operational range of firefighting activities and vulnerable areas can be determined by studying the connection between the fire hydrant locations and the fire brigade in the analysis of the accessible areas. This study contributes to the development of GIS analysis methods for comprehensive vulnerability analyses of firefighting activities, including accessibility to fire hydrants.

This study analyzed the decision-making times (DMTs) of participants at T-type indoor intersections according to the horizontal/vertical installation locations and the arrow directions of escape route signs. A total of 120 university students participated in the study. We analyzed the DMTs and following rates (FRs) required for the participants to observe the visual stimuli of the signs installed in front of the T-type indoor intersections and then properly select a path according to the arrow direction of the signs. The results are as follows: (1) the participants exhibited shorter DMTs for the right arrow direction of the signs, (2) the Simon effect occurred when the horizontal installation location of the signs was more than 60 cm away from the center of the T-type indoor intersection on both sides, (3) the DMTs of participants increased when the vertical installation location of the signs was low. Finally, we proposed an optimal installation location of the signs to support the shortest DMTs at T-type indoor intersections. It is expected that the results of this study will provide a database of DMTs, based on the locations of the signs during emergency evacuations, and will be utilized to improve the installation guidelines and regulations of signs.

In Korea, there is still no plan to secure earthquake-resistant performance in private buildings despite being exposed to the risk of large and small earthquakes. Therefore, this study considered the current status of domestic and foreign support systems as well as prior research on improving the seismic resistance rate of private buildings, and surveys of experts and residents were conducted based on them. According to the survey, direct support such as financial support for seismic reinforcement, technical/administrative support, rental housing support, and deregulation should be considered to improve the seismic resistance rate of private buildings. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a cost-effective plan and review the financial security plan. As social consensus is important for these support systems, continuous policy research is needed.