@article{ref1,
title="Using GIS to simulate tsunami evacuation guidance signs for the hearing impaired",
journal="PLoS one",
year="2019",
author="Horiike, Ryo and Nakai, Hisao and Itatani, Tomoya and Shirai, Fumie and Konishi, Kaoru",
volume="14",
number="6",
pages="e0217512-e0217512",
abstract="The Nankai Trough in Japan has been identified as a geological feature that could cause extensive damage in the event of a major earthquake. In this study, we investigated the impact of effective guidance signs for hearing-impaired individuals requiring special care when escaping to a tsunami evacuation building (emergency evacuation location) using geographical information system (GIS) and viewshed analysis. We selected an area we considered would suffer severe damage following a major earthquake and tsunami; we identified difficulties in the provision of escape routes. Using GIS, we determined the time required for escape and tsunami arrival time if effective signs were installed; we undertook such analysis using the height data of buildings in the target area. With effectively installed guidance signs, the average required evacuation time was 36.88 minutes; without such signs (which is currently the case in the target area), the average time was 47.10 minutes: that would result in citizens getting caught by the tsunami. Installing effective guidance signs would allow hearing-impaired individuals to escape to an evacuation building before being hit by the tsunami.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1932-6203",
doi="10.1371/journal.pone.0217512",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217512"
}