Mobile Mapping technology and integration with Remote Sensing imagery for post-disaster damage evaluation

In the aftermath of natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of damage data is critical for a timely and accurate response. Information concerning the spatial extent and severity of urban damage is demanded by emergency response personnel, and also by reconnaissance teams conducting post-disaster impact assessments. Data requirements have traditionally been met through ground-based damage surveys during the days and weeks following the event. However, the integration of remote sensing data and geo-referenced damage information collected in the field can effectively streamline, accelerate, and increase the volume and diversity of data captured during post-disaster reconnaissance. Specifically, the integration of these two damage detection technologies offers advantages including: the fusion of multiple perspectives on a given structure from the ground and air, yielding a more complete and highly detailed picture of damage sustained; capturing a permanent visual record of the post-disaster situation for decision support in the immediate aftermath of the event, and for subsequent recall as ground truth for ongoing research activities. In terms of specific applications, geo-referenced ground damage information has recently been used to develop remote sensing-based damage scales, and to calibrate and validate the information obtained using semi-automated remote sensing-based damage detection algorithms that are applied across a wide geographic area to provide a ‘quick-look’ initial estimate of damage and potential loss. This paper describes mobile reconnaissance and mapping applications recently developed to support urban damage scale development, and to validate damage detection activities following major disasters including the 1999 Marmara earthquake, 2003 Bam earthquake, and 2004 Hurricane Katrina.