Infrastructure networks: Online coordination for road infrastructure restoration using UAVs

The goal of this project is to study two fundamental barriers of efficiency in road network restorations, namely, the lack of complete damage/debris information and the lack of coordination among the restoration operations. We develop an integrative online optimization model with a model-based data diffusion component to coordinate three restoration-interdependent operations in the disaster response phase such as “damage assessment”, “road recovery”, and “relief distribution”. The model developed for the damage assessment operation controls the damage/debris data diffusion speed in the integrative framework. This data is periodically shared with an online model developed to prioritize recovery process for disrupted roads. The road prioritization is done in way to make the highest acceleration in the relief distribution operation. The integrative framework is tested on the road network of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Damage assessment using drones