Article: A Six Sigma approach to collection of critical geospatial infrastructure data Journal: International Journal of Emergency Management (IJEM) 2015 Vol.11 No.3 pp.209 - 223 Abstract: Coastal communities along the Gulf Shores in Alabama, USA and other neighbouring states are frequently impacted by natural calamities such as hurricanes. Such disasters cause damages that affect critical infrastructures such as gas valves and meters, electric transformers, water valves and meters, fire hydrants, and sewer manholes. Further, sand and debris may cover up such infrastructure fixtures after a disaster, causing difficulty in timely recovery. Damage to critical infrastructure inflicts an estimated 50% or more of the clean-up costs, increases time to recovery, and delays the normal functioning of local business/tourism. An objective of the project was to create a database of the geospatial data of the critical infrastructure. Collecting this data is a labour-intensive and error-prone process. A Six Sigma approach was used to guide the execution of the project and provide control measures to improve the effectiveness of data collection. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A Six Sigma approach to collection of critical geospatial infrastructure data

Authors: Amitava Mitra; Chetan S. Sankar; Luke Marzen; P.K. Raju

Addresses: Department of Aviation and Supply Chain Management, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA ' Department of Aviation and Supply Chain Management, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA ' Department of Geography and Geology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA

Abstract: Coastal communities along the Gulf Shores in Alabama, USA and other neighbouring states are frequently impacted by natural calamities such as hurricanes. Such disasters cause damages that affect critical infrastructures such as gas valves and meters, electric transformers, water valves and meters, fire hydrants, and sewer manholes. Further, sand and debris may cover up such infrastructure fixtures after a disaster, causing difficulty in timely recovery. Damage to critical infrastructure inflicts an estimated 50% or more of the clean-up costs, increases time to recovery, and delays the normal functioning of local business/tourism. An objective of the project was to create a database of the geospatial data of the critical infrastructure. Collecting this data is a labour-intensive and error-prone process. A Six Sigma approach was used to guide the execution of the project and provide control measures to improve the effectiveness of data collection.

Keywords: geospatial mapping; utility infrastructures; data quality; six sigma; database development; team performance; process improvement; critical infrastructures; geospatial infrastructure data; coastal communities; USA; United States; natural disasters; hurricanes; data collection; emergency management; disaster management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2015.071706

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2015 Vol.11 No.3, pp.209 - 223

Received: 18 Aug 2014
Accepted: 22 Apr 2015
Published online: 15 Sep 2015 *

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Title: A Six Sigma approach to collection of critical geospatial infrastructure data

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