ABSTRACTS

Information Technology for Risk Management

 
Kurt Fedra 
Environmental Software & Services 
A-2352 Gumpoldskirchen AUSTRIA 
tel:+ 34 2252 63305 fax: +43 2252 633 059 
e-mail: kurt@ess.co.at    
URL:    http://www.ess.co.at 

ABSTRACT

Risk assessment and management is information intensive. Large volumes of technical information have to be gathered, processed, analysed, and eventually communicated to a broad range of users under quite different conditions, ranging from planning and regulatory activities to emergency management.

Modern information technology provides some of the tools to support these activities. The integration of data bases, GIS and simulation models, expert systems and decision support tools and their implementation in distributed client-server architectures that support remote access through Internet protocols including mobile clients based on Java open new and promising directions of development.

Within an object-oriented design paradigm, a broad range of information resources that can support risk assessment and management tasks can be organized to meet even the most demanding computational and communication requirements for real-time forecasting and decision support for emergency management. Multi-media formats and Internet access through PC based browser software enables efficient access to and publication of up-to-date risk information to a wide range of users. Network based group-ware supports cooperative information systems linking industry, regulatory agencies, interest groups, and the general public.

Rapidly evolving information technologies like distributed client-server systems, hypermedia and virtual reality, HPCN, network computing, light-weight mobile clients, GPS and GSM to name a few, can be integrated into powerful yet easy to use information and decision support systems for better risk management. These developments in information technology can be expected to shape the research and practice of risk assessment and management.

Integrated Risk Assessment and Management

Kurt Fedra 
Environmental Software & Services 
A-2352 Gumpoldskirchen AUSTRIA 
tel:+ 34 2252 63305 fax: +43 2252 633 059 
e-mail: kurt@ess.co.at    
URL:    http://www.ess.co.at 

ABSTRACT

Risk assessment and management includes both spatially distributed, as well as dynamic problems. While geographic information systems provide powerful tools for spatial analysis, their capabilities for complex, and dynamic analysis are limited. Traditional simulation models, on the other hand, are powerful tools for complex and dynamic situations, but often lack the intuitive visualization and spatial analysis functions that the GIS offers. Obviously, the integration of GIS and simulation models, together with the necessary data bases and expert systems, within a common and interactive graphical user interface should make for more powerful and easy to use - and understand - risk information systems.

More than ten years ago, starting in 1986, these ideas were first implemented in a series of projects involving IIASA, the JRC, VROM, and RIVM. The still ongoing XENVIS project provides a unique opportunity to review some basic and emerging concepts of integrated risk assessment. Based on a dedicated GIS as the central tool and user interface, databases of hazardous installations and hazardous chemicals are linked in a hypertext structure. They include tools for spatial risk assessment based on externally generated risk contours, and links to models describing accidental and continuous atmospheric releases, spills into surface water systems, and transportation risk analysis. All the models used are fully georeferenced and integrated with the underlying GIS layer, and include an embedded rule-based expert system to help with model input specification, and the interpretation of model results. Model results take the form of interactive graphics and animated topical maps for an intuitive understanding, and a more efficient interactive analysis.