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Follow UsBANGALORE, INDIA: IBM math scientists from IBM Research Labs in New York and India have developed ‘stochastic optimization model’ to help model and manage natural disasters.
The scientists worked with business experts from IBM’s Global Business Services and clients to create specialized math algorithms that help government bodies, relief agencies and companies with tools for strategic planning for more effective allocation of resources for natural disaster management and mitigation.
IBM's math team works on unsolvable problems in business, government and society.
"The challenge lies in matching high-end mathematical programming technologies with high-impact business and societal problems, while using open platforms and standards. Our researchers have worked on innovative optimization solutions designed to create a roadmap for a responsive disaster risk reduction," says Dr. Daniel Dias, director, IBM India Research Laboratory.
IBM developed a large-scale strategic budgeting framework for managing natural disaster events, with a focus on better preparedness for future uncertain disaster scenarios.
Optimization models and algorithms were initially prototyped on a large U.S. government program. That system generated a single solution for each disaster scenario. The same models can be used to manage natural disasters anywhere in the world.
A fully developed, customized and implemented model can significantly help disaster risk reduction and disaster management, says IBM.
"We are creating a set of intellectual properties and software assets that can be employed to gauge and improve levels of preparedness to tackle unforeseen natural disasters," says Dr. Gyana Parija, senior researcher and optimization expert at IBM India Research Laboratory, New Delhi.
In the case of flood, the model would use various flood scenarios, resource supply capabilities at different dispatch locations, and fixed and variable costs associated with deployment of various flood-management resources to manage various risk measures.