Jonathan L. Barr, Annie M. Boek Peddicord, Russ Burtner, & Heidi A. Mahy. (2011). Current domain challenges in the emergency response community. In E. Portela L. S. M.A. Santos (Ed.), 8th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: From Early-Warning Systems to Preparedness and Training, ISCRAM 2011. Lisbon: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of a framework targeted to technology providers to better understand the grand domain challenges of the emergency response and management community (EM). In developing this framework, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers interviewed subject matter experts (SMEs) across the EM domain and corroborated these findings with current literature. We are presently examining relationships and dependencies within the framework. We anticipate that a thorough understanding of these gaps and dependencies will allow for a more informed approach to prioritizing research, developing tools, and applying technology to enhance performance in the EM community.
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Robin E. Mays, Mark Zachry, Murat, A., & Mark P. Haselkorn. (2011). Aligning border security workflow and decision making with supporting information and communication systems. In E. Portela L. S. M.A. Santos (Ed.), 8th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: From Early-Warning Systems to Preparedness and Training, ISCRAM 2011. Lisbon: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: As part of the National Center for Border Security and Immigration (NCBSI) led by the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), researchers from the University of Washington, Wayne State University, and UTEP conducted a three-site study of border security operations and the role of command, control and communication (C3) systems in support of those operations. While inevitably bringing some positive capability to the environment, if C3 systems are not consciously aligned with desired practices and decision-making, the implications will not always be for the better. This is especially true of C3 systems in the border security environment because these systems are intimately intertwined with complex and critical workflow and decision-making processes, often in the context of complex and, at times, competing missions.
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Nitesh Bharosa, Jaco Appelman, & Peter De Bruin. (2007). Integrating technology in crisis response using an information manager: First lessons learned from field exercises in the Port of Rotterdam. In K. Nieuwenhuis P. B. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Intelligent Human Computer Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM 2007 Academic Proceedings Papers (pp. 63–70). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Integrating information technology (IT) in crisis management networks is a difficult and long-term endeavor. First responders must establish situational awareness and take decisions under time pressure with incomplete information. Partly, this can be mitigated by adopting more advanced IT, however practice shows that adoption is hampered because of the required change in routines and procedures. We believe that we can moderate a change in routines and stimulate the adoption of technology by introducing a new role: the information manager (IM). This paper presents some results of the first round of field observations. The main conclusion is that the IM is instrumental where it concerns, speeding up the process of establishing situational awareness and improving the information structures. In order to further improve the production of situational awareness we suggest that further research should address the issues of the internalization of process guidelines and enhancing the adaptability of information systems.
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Brian M. Tomaszewski, Anthony C. Robinson, Chris E. Weaver, Michael Stryker, & Alan M. MacEachren. (2007). Geovisual analytics and crisis management. In K. Nieuwenhuis P. B. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Intelligent Human Computer Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM 2007 Academic Proceedings Papers (pp. 173–179). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Increasing data heterogeneity, fragmentation and volume, coupled with complex connections among specialists in disaster response, mitigation, and recovery situations demand new approaches for information technology to support crisis management. Advances in visual analytics tools show promise to support time-sensitive collaboration, analytical reasoning, problem solving and decision making for crisis management. Furthermore, as all crises have geospatial components, crisis management tools need to include geospatial data representation and support for geographic contextualization of location-specific decision-making throughout the crisis. This paper provides an introduction to and description of Geovisual Analytics applied to crisis management activity. The goal of Geovisual Analytics in this context is to support situational awareness, problem solving, and decision making using highly interactive, visual environments that integrate multiple data sources that include georeferencing. We use an emergency support function example to discuss how recent progress in Geovisual Analytics can address the issues a crisis can present.
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Cláudio Sapateiro, & Pedro Antunes. (2009). An emergency response model toward situational awareness improvement. In S. J. J. Landgren (Ed.), ISCRAM 2009 – 6th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Boundary Spanning Initiatives and New Perspectives. Gothenburg: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: When facing emergency scenarios, several contingent factors may strongly condition the pre-defined response procedures. The proposed approach takes the perspective that an emergency response tool may guide the response effort. The tool adopts a conceptual model grounded on existing situation awareness models and research work done with High Reliability Organizations. The model structures the emergency management process in a set of dimensions that should be collaboratively correlated by the involved participants in order to mitigate the disruptive situation. An instantiation of the proposed approach is also described in the paper, focusing on IT service desk teams addressing emergency incidents that may compromise business continuity.
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Naveen Ashish, & Sharad Mehrotra. (2010). Community driven data integration for emergency response. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper describes our work in progress on an approach and technology for providing integrated data access in situational awareness applications – particularly for disaster and emergency response. The key new aspect of our work is an approach where information aggregation, processing, and integration capabilities are offered as a service to any new application builder. Further, we provide a framework for possibly reusing prior information integration knowledge, the development of which demands the major fraction of time and complexity in a new application, in a customized fashion for new application. Our overall goal is to provide a framework where integrated access to critical data in an emergency response situation can be enabled very rapidly and by personnel with basic IT and data handling expertise. Our approach, while general purpose, is currently motivated by and grounded in the context of situational awareness systems for incident commander decision support in the fire response domain.
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Alena L. Benson, Keith Biggers, Jim Wall, & Mark P. Haselkorn. (2010). Adaptive development of a common operating environment for crisis response and management. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Complex information and communication systems present a special challenge to system designers because these are generally deployed as large, distributed systems with diverse user groups. Crisis response and management organizations in particular expect systems to be interoperable, resilient, flexible and provide lasting benefit. Currently, systems such as Virtual USA (Department of Homeland Security) and WatchKeeper (United States Coast Guard) seek to create common situational awareness for all participating agencies in security and incident response operations. We propose adaptive development as a system development model to build upon the ideas of systems such as Virtual USA and WatchKeeper in order to create sustainable and adaptable systems. Adaptive development supports ongoing improvement through user-driven design and modification in the target environment. An internet-based dashboard demonstrated during a United States Coast Guard Sector Seattle incident response exercise serves as an emergent case study for the adaptive model.
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Albert Y. Chen, Feniosky Peña-Mora, Saumil J. Mehta, Stuart Foltz, Albert P. Plans, Brian R. Brauer, et al. (2010). A GIS approach to equipment allocation for structural stabilization and civilian rescue. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Efficient request and deployment of critical resources for urban search and rescue operations is vital to emergency response. This paper presents a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) supported system for on-site data collection to communicate structural condition, to track search and rescue status, and to request and allocate appropriate resources. The system provides a unified interface for efficient posing, gathering, storing and sharing of building assessment information. Visualization and easy access of such information enables rescuers to response to the disaster with better situational awareness. Resource requests are sent to the GIS resource repository service that enables a visual disaster management environment for resource allocation. Request and deployment of critical resources through this system enables lifesaving efforts, with the appropriate equipment, operator, and materials, become more efficient and effective. System development at the Illinois Fire Service Institute has shown promising results.
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Kevin Fall, Gianluca Iannaccone, Jayanthkumar Kannan, Fernando Silveira, & Nina Taft. (2010). A disruption-tolerant architecture for secure and efficient disaster response communications. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: We consider the problem of providing situational awareness when citizens in a disaster are willing to contribute their own devices, such as laptops and smart phones, to gather data (text, images, audio or video) and to help forward data gathered by others. A situational awareness service processes all received data and creates annotated maps to visualize a disaster site (e.g., the status of the disaster, such as fires or floods, the location of people, food, or water). We discuss the challenges imposed on such an application when 1) the communications infrastructure in the disaster area can only provide intermittent connectivity, 2) anxious victims generate large amounts of redundant content congesting the network, and 3) the sharing of personal devices creates security and privacy threats. We present an architecture that addresses the requirements to support such a service.
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Geoffrey Hoare, Mary Beth Russell, Aaron Kite-Powell, & Rick France. (2010). Developing H1N1 hospital surge dashboard indicators: A demonstration. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Developing key state-wide indicators of Florida's health care system's public health capacity during the H1N1 Pandemic has been challenging. This demonstration outlines work to develop a key indicator of patient surge caused by the H1N1 outbreak. Further work to calibrate this measure and relate it to surge in other health care organizations is outlined.
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Erkki Kurkinen, Helen T. Sullivan, Markku Häkkinen, & Markku Lauttamus. (2010). Optimizing mobile social media interfaces for rapid internal communication by emergency services. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Social media tools are seeing use in crisis situations. Authorities have recognized the value of such tools and are beginning to use services such as Facebook and Twitter to disseminate official information. However, the use of the social media concept as an internal, operational tool by emergency services is in its early stages. Current social media tools for mobile devices are of potential value, yet security concerns can render such systems unsuitable for operational use, and the user interface can hinder operational efficiency due to the inheritance of a text based model for input and display. The research to be described is examining interaction methods that may improve the efficiency and usability of mobile device-based social media for operational use by police services. A Twitter like model for police activity reports can provide a means for enhanced situational awareness for police command authorities, and for individual officers or patrol units engaged in the “professional” media interchanges. The proposed model, SUMO, is based on a hybrid symbolic and text interface to rapidly enter status, integrated with geolocation, and sensor-based data to automatically capture key information, and thereby minimizing the amount effort required create a complete status update.
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Babajide Osatuyi, & Michael J. Chumer. (2010). An empirical investigation of alert notifications: A temporal analysis approach. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: As the deployment of situational awareness mechanisms such as geothermal sensors, use of social network sites, and information and communication technologies (e.g., cell phones) become increasingly widespread to emergency responders, the problem of alert analysis has become very important. Broadcast of large amounts of alerts sent back to command centers for processing may impair the ability of analysts to connect dots that may otherwise adequately enable them to make informed decisions in a timely fashion. This paper investigates trends and patterns embedded in alert notifications generated over a given period of time in order to uncover correlations that may exist in the data. Data for this study are obtained from the National Center for Crisis and Continuity Coordination (NC4). We employ classical time series analysis to understand, explain and predict trends and patterns in the data. This work presents results obtained thus far in the quest for the effect of passage of time on alert patterns. Implications of this work in practice and research are discussed.
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Norman Groner, & Charles Jennings. (2012). Describing pipeline emergency response communications using situational awareness informational requirements and an informational flow analyses. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: The Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies at John Jay College, CUNY, has begun work on developing best practices for hazardous material pipeline emergency response plans. The approach involves modeling a generic goal-based interagency emergency communications system using a two-step process. First, a situational awareness information requirements analysis will describe the informational requirements essential to an effective emergency response. The requirements analysis involves a goal decomposition approach where the information requirements are related to actionable decisions, goals and emergency response roles. Second, an information flow analysis will informational sources and means to provide required information. The same panel of experts will complete both analyses. Once the communications system is described, a separate Delphi group will use a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to estimate the criticality of the components described in the situational awareness requirements and information flow analyses. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Ali Khalili-Araghi, Uwe Glässer, Hamed Yaghoubi Shahir, Brian Fisher, & Piper Jackson. (2012). Intelligent decision support for emergency responses. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: With a coastline touching upon the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Great Lakes and the Arctic Sea, the Canadian MSOCs are faced with a daunting task. They are responsible for both routine duties, including patrolling coastal areas and collecting satellite data, as well as critical missions, such as emergency response and crime intervention. Both kinds of mission require the fusion of data from a variety of sources and the orchestration of myriad heterogeneous resources over great physical distances. They must deal with uncertainty, both in terms of what can be known and also in the outcomes of actions, and must interact with an environment prone to dynamic change. We present the architecture and core mechanisms of a decision support system for marine safety and security operations (Glässer, Jackson, Araghi, When and Shahir, 2010). The goal of this system is to enhance complex command and control tasks by improving situational awareness and automating task assignments. This system concept includes adaptive information fusion techniques integrated with decentralized control mechanisms for dynamic resource configuration management and task execution management under uncertainty. Autonomously operating agents employ collaboration and coordination to collectively form an intelligent decision support system. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Stas Simon Krupenia, Cécilia Aguero, & Kees C.H.M. Nieuwenhuis. (2012). The value of different media types to support command and control situation awareness. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: We investigated the value of different media types (Photo, Video, Audio) to support the situational awareness of a Command and Control (C2) officer monitoring three simultaneous military operations. Twenty-one Polish soldiers individually monitored the real-time battlefield information collected by three (virtual, scripted) platoons. Twice during the monitoring task a series of Situation Awareness (SA) probes were presented (Endsley, 1995). At the end of the task, participants were also given a series of meta-SA probes and preference questions. We found that Video supported Level 2 SA (comprehension) better than the other two media types. We also found that participants preferred to receive information in the Photos and Audio clips than in Video. We conclude that if the goal of the C2 team is to better understand the global situation, then providing the persons-in-the-field with video cameras is a valid solution. However, we obtained no evidence to suggest that such an approach supports the ability to predict what may occur in the future (Level 3 SA). © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Jack Pagotto, & Darrell O'Donnell. (2012). Canada's multi-agency situational awareness system – Keeping it simple. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: The Canadian Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (MASAS) is rapidly becoming Canada's national system for exchanging emergency management incident-relevant information amongst multiple agencies and jurisdictions. Through the use of structured information aligned with open standards, and a centrally managed open architecture, MASAS provides a trusted virtual community with the ability to seamlessly exchange emergency management information. MASAS offers an information exchange architecture that is based around a highly resilient system of data aggregation hubs that are easily accessible directly or through third party commercial tools by emergency management officials at all levels, from the smallest community in the most remote areas of Canada's north to key federal stakeholders such as the federal Government Operations Centre or the Canadian military. This paper highlights the key design principles, experimental activities, and technology implementation strategies that are positioning MASAS as a Canadian success story in the making – from coast to coast to coast. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Simon Tucker, Vitaveska Lanfranchi, Neil Ireson, Alfonso Sosa, Gregoire Burel, & Fabio Ciravegna. (2012). Straight to the information I need: Assessing collational interfaces for emergency response. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: Collational interfaces gather information from a range of sources and present them to users. Information overload is tackled by processing information in the back-end and providing interactive means to filter and browse data. Such interfaces have applications in emergency response – giving users the right information to act effectively. In this paper we explore a collational interface for emergency response, carrying out a user study that compares it to a paper based interface and one which presents data without collating it. We demonstrate that a collational interface allows users to build a picture of an emergency, but not necessarily in less time. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Richard Arias-Hernandez, & Brian Fisher. (2013). An interaction approach to enhance situational awareness and the production of anticipatory actions in emergency operation centers. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 488–496). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Recent findings from fieldwork conducted at emergency operation centers (EOC) suggest that currently deployed emergency management information systems (EMIS) are not supporting properly the anticipation of individual actions in cooperative work. We present these findings in this paper and introduce joint action theory as an interaction approach to design technologies that explicitly provide for this kind of support. Our main arguments are: (1) contemporary EMIS are affecting negatively cooperative work at EOCs due to their lack of support for the anticipation of individual actions; (2) Available theory that emphasizes the role of anticipation on cooperative work is not impacting on the design of EMIS due to misalignments between the theory and contemporary situations; (3) Joint action theory provides an alternative framework to correct these misalignments; and (4) Joint action theory provides designers of EMIS with guides for an interaction design that supports anticipatory actions in EOCs.
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Daniel Iland, Don Voita, & Elizabeth Belding. (2013). Delay tolerant disaster communication with the One Laptop per Child XO laptop. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 863–867). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: In this paper, we describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a mesh network based messaging application for the One Laptop Per Child XO laptop. We outline the creation of an easy-to-use OLPC Activity that exchanges Ushahidi-style messages with nearby OLPC users through the Internet or a mesh network. Our contributions are to implement an epidemic messaging scheme on mesh networks of OLPC XO laptops, to extend the Ushahidi web application to efficiently exchange messages with nodes in mesh networks, and to allow the Ushahidi server to distribute cures, notifications of message delivery, for each received message. Testing and analysis revealed substantial overhead is introduced by the OLPC's use of Telepathy Salut for activity sharing.
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Muhammad Imran, Shady Elbassuoni, Carlos Castillo, Fernando Díaz, & Patrick Meier. (2013). Extracting information nuggets from disaster- Related messages in social media. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 791–801). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Microblogging sites such as Twitter can play a vital role in spreading information during “natural” or man-made disasters. But the volume and velocity of tweets posted during crises today tend to be extremely high, making it hard for disaster-affected communities and professional emergency responders to process the information in a timely manner. Furthermore, posts tend to vary highly in terms of their subjects and usefulness; from messages that are entirely off-topic or personal in nature, to messages containing critical information that augments situational awareness. Finding actionable information can accelerate disaster response and alleviate both property and human losses. In this paper, we describe automatic methods for extracting information from microblog posts. Specifically, we focus on extracting valuable “information nuggets”, brief, self-contained information items relevant to disaster response. Our methods leverage machine learning methods for classifying posts and information extraction. Our results, validated over one large disaster-related dataset, reveal that a careful design can yield an effective system, paving the way for more sophisticated data analysis and visualization systems.
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Shalini Kurapati, Gwendolyn Kolfschoten, Alexander Verbraeck, Thomas M. Corsi, & Frances Brazier. (2013). Exploring shared situational awareness in supply chain disruptions. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 151–155). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Risk and volatility in the form of political issues, natural disasters, terrorism etc., are impending dangers to the normal functioning of today's world. Supply Chains (SCs) are the backbone to societal functions and are heavily affected when such events occur. SC professionals have limited preparedness to deal with disruptions. Shared Situational Awareness (SSA) by means of information sharing, coordination and collaboration among SC partners, can significantly improve the recovery capacity of supply chains from disruptions. To prepare SC professionals for disruptions, a serious game (a tabletop board game) has been developed. The game serves both as an instrument to explore SSA during disruptions and as a training tool for SC practitioners. The paper discusses the design, development and applicability of the serious game based on an SSA framework in multistakeholder systems.
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Kimmo Laakso. (2013). Emergency management: Identifying problem domains in communication. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 724–729). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: In emergency management, the identification of hazards, analysis of risks, development of mitigation and response plans, maintaining of situational awareness and support of response and recovery are all complex responsibilities. A major accident brings together individuals belonging to many different organizations, having backgrounds in different fields of operation, and representing different organizational cultures. They have to absorb a large amount of information about the accident over a short period of time. In order to take effective action, actors are expected to work smoothly together, thus the flow of information from and to the actors involved is crucial. Nevertheless, there are certain problem domains in the different phases of emergency management, which may weaken the flow of information. In this paper we present the findings of the first round of a Delphi study in which we identified problem domains in communication both in long-term and short-term planning for major accidents.
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David F. Merrick, & Tom Duffy. (2013). Utilizing community volunteered information to enhance disaster situational awareness. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 858–862). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Social media allows the public to engage in the disaster response and recovery process in new and exciting ways. Many emergency management agencies in the United States are embracing social media as a new channel for alerts, warnings, and public outreach, but very few are mining the massive amounts of data available for use in disaster response. The research reflected in this paper strives to help emergency management practitioners harness the power of community volunteered information in a way that is still novel in most parts of the country. Field verification and research combined with survey results attempts to identify and solve many of the barriers to adoption that currently exist. By helping practitioners understand the virtues and limitations of this type of data and information, this research will encourage the use of community volunteered information in the emergency operations center.
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Anthony C. Robinson, Alexander Savelyev, Scott Pezanowski, & Alan M. MacEachren. (2013). Understanding the utility of geospatial information in social media. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 918–922). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Crisis situations generate tens of millions of social media reports, many of which contain references to geographic features and locations. Contemporary systems are now capable of mining and visualizing these location references in social media reports, but we have yet to develop a deep understanding of what end-users will expect to do with this information when attempting to achieve situational awareness. To explore this problem, we have conducted a utility and usability analysis of SensePlace2, a geovisual analytics tool designed to explore geospatial information found in Tweets. Eight users completed a task analysis and survey study using SensePlace2. Our findings reveal user expectations and key paths for solving usability and utility issues to inform the design of future visual analytics systems that incorporate geographic information from social media.
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Axel Schulz, Tung Dang Thanh, Heiko Paulheim, & Immanuel Schweizer. (2013). A fine-grained sentiment analysis approach for detecting crisis related microposts. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 846–851). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Real-time information from microposts like Twitter is useful for applications in the crisis management domain. Currently, that potentially valuable information remains mostly unused by the command staff, mainly because the sheer amount of information cannot be handled efficiently. Sentiment analysis has been shown as an effective tool to detect microposts (such as tweets) that contribute to situational awareness. However, current approaches only focus on two or three emotion classes. But using only tweets with negative emotions for crisis management is not always sufficient. The amount of remaining information is still not manageable or most of the tweets are irrelevant. Thus, a more fine-grained differentiation is needed to identify relevant microposts. In this paper, we show the systematic evaluation of an approach for sentiment analysis on microposts that allows detecting seven emotion classes. A preliminary evaluation of our approach in a crisis related scenario demonstrates the applicability and usefulness.
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