Citation

Zhang N, Huang H, Su B, Zhao J, Zhang B. PLoS One 2014; 9(5): e98649.

Affiliation

Institute of Public Safety Research, Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0098649

PMID

24878739

PMCID

PMC4039515

Abstract

Knowing the information dissemination mechanisms of different media and having an efficient information dissemination plan for disaster pre-warning plays a very important role in reducing losses and ensuring the safety of human beings. In this paper we established models of information dissemination for six typical information media, including short message service (SMS), microblogs, news portals, cell phones, television, and oral communication. Then, the information dissemination capability of each medium concerning individuals of different ages, genders, and residential areas was simulated, and the dissemination characteristics were studied. Finally, radar graphs were used to illustrate comprehensive assessments of the six media; these graphs show directly the information dissemination characteristics of all media. The models and the results are essential for improving the efficiency of information dissemination for the purpose of disaster pre-warning and for formulating emergency plans which help to reduce the possibility of injuries, deaths and other losses in a disaster.

Language: en