Title: A distributed multi-agent simulation system for the assessment of disaster management systems

Authors: Taro Kanno, Yusuke Morimoto, Kazuo Furuta

Addresses: Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society, 2-5-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-6218, Japan. ' Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan. ' Department of Quantum Engineering and Systems Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan

Abstract: In order to design effective disaster emergency management systems, a number of factors, including not only accident/disaster phenomena but also human behaviours such as coordination and communication between different organisations, should be considered in an integrated and comprehensive manner. In this paper, we propose the basic design of MASTERD: a Multi-Agent Simulation sysTem of Emergency Response in Disasters. The chief characteristics of MASTERD are (1) its system extensibility, allowing for easy integration of various simulations, and (2) its behavioural simulation of many different individuals and organisations in emergency response. We present the development of a prototype of MASTERD for nuclear disasters and discuss possible applications of MASTERD for various social safety and security issues.

Keywords: behavioural simulation; disaster management systems; emergency management; integrated simulation; multi-agent systems; agent-based systems; crisis response; nuclear accidents; nuclear disaster; safety; security; risk assessment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2006.009552

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.4/5/6, pp.528 - 544

Published online: 21 Apr 2006 *

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