Disruptions in Independent Infrastructures

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY

Investigators

Abstract

The objective of the research is to help ensure an efficient, effective and equitable distribution of resources in responding to events that cause disruption in infrastructure systems and to aid in designing infrastructure systems that are robust under disruptions, due to natural, human-caused or willful acts. The approach is to develop a clear and unambiguous set of definitions of critical infrastructure interdependencies; a mathematical representation of infrastructure systems that incorporates interdependencies among and between systems; algorithms that can be used to run the model(s) for vulnerability assessment and emergency response; and a human-computer interface for user interaction with the model. If successful, the benefits will be an improved ability to both mitigate the impact of and respond to events that have the capability to cause large-scale, potentially catastrophic damage to critical infrastructure systems. Critical infrastructure systems provide services that are essential to both the economy and well-being of nations and their citizens. As documented in a recent report to the U.S. Congress, it is of vital importance that these services not be degraded, whether by willful acts such as terrorism or by natural or random events such as earthquakes. The research will permit different act and event scenarios to be modeled, and their impact on the service provided by an infrastructure system assessed. The result would be infrastructure systems that are designed to be more resilient to disruptions, with the expected loss of service reduced and the required level of service restored more quickly.