Development of an inland marine transportation risk management decision support system

In this research, a prototypical risk management decision support system has been developed for inland marine transportation. The dissertation addresses issues related to the design, development and implementation of such a system. The system is demonstrated in a case study simulation covering real-time spill scenarios and in a risk management planning application.; The real-time components serve spill dispersion results, hazardous materials response information and map-based risk assessment information through the Internet to responders en route to an accident. Customized routines determine airborne protective distances, estimate populations within impact areas as well as identify responders and response facilities within user-specified radii. A surface water dispersion is also included to estimate a spilled chemical's waterborne concentration and arrival times at downstream water intakes.; The planning module enables decision makers to locate existing deficiencies in responder coverage, identify priority locations for risk management resource allocation, and simulate accident scenarios to develop prescribed response strategies. The planning application showcases the system's analytical capabilities, including response time analyses using street routing algorithms, vessel traffic patterns, historical accident severity and per capita responder coverage for each mile marker along a navigable waterway.; This dissertation describes the state of the practice of marine transportation risk management, and how this unique integration of advanced information technologies can increase the safety and efficiency of ports and waterways. Contributions to the body of knowledge are made in areas concerning inland marine transportation, risk management and information systems design. The system's approach to managing risks and tracking hazardous materials is transferable throughout the U.S. waterway network and somewhat to other modes of freight transportation. This system scope is much wider than existing hazardous materials transportation information systems in terms of geographical coverage and the number of shipments monitored. The real-time linkage of carrier and responder supported by this system constitutes a significant improvement in the state of the practice. Furthermore, the accident response Internet site eliminates unnecessary and costly delays to mitigation associated with obtaining accurate shipment information.