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Priority setting for the distribution of localized hazard protection
James H Lambert1, Thomas Turley
1University of Virginia, Systems and Information Engineering, Charlottesville, VA, USA. lambert@virginia.edu
Summary
This study presents a method for prioritizing safety device distribution by analyzing risk, benefits, and costs under uncertainty. It helps allocate resources effectively for public safety initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Public Health and Safety
- Risk Analysis
- Engineering Management
Background:
- Safety-enhancing devices offer local protection but face challenges in equitable regional distribution.
- Populations and hazards vary in intensity, complicating needs assessment for protective devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for screening and prioritizing needs for safety-enhancing devices.
- To recommend a risk-benefit-cost analysis approach under uncertainty for resource allocation.
Main Methods:
- Identifying measures of hazard intensity and population exposure.
- Propagating uncertainties of exogenous parameters using interval analysis.
- Establishing tiers of plausibility for protection needs to guide distribution priorities.
Main Results:
- A systematic approach to assess and prioritize needs for safety devices was developed.
- The method demonstrated utility in roadway lighting applications.
- Identified tiers of need plausibility aid in effective resource allocation.
Conclusions:
- The proposed risk-benefit-cost analysis under uncertainty provides a framework for prioritizing safety device distribution.
- The method is applicable to diverse public safety domains, including disaster preparedness and transportation safety.
- Effective prioritization ensures optimal deployment of safety resources across varied population sectors and hazard exposures.