ISE - Texas A&M University 1/17 Identifying social network and mobile technology use in Hurricane...

ISE - Texas A&M University

1/17Identifying social network and mobile technology use in Hurricane Sandy

DIMACS/CCICADA WorkshopS&T Innovations in Hurricane Sandy Research


Identifying social network and mobile technology use and its correlation with household evacuation

behavior in Hurricane Sandy

Justin Yates, Tom Ferris, Erick MorenoDepartment of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Texas A&M [email protected]

Introduction Background Approach Results Next Steps

Student ResearchersMahmoud El-Sherif (ISE, Graduate)

Jae Ho Lee (RPTS, Graduate)Monica Tellam (RPTS, Undergraduate)

David MatarritaDepartment of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Sci.

Texas A&M University

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation





Introduction

• Quick Background• Research Approach• Preliminary Results• Next Steps






Quick Background

• Existing literature in evacuee behavior– Lindell, Sorensen, Eisenman, etc.

• Existing literature in social network analysis– Wasserman and Faust, Scott, etc.

• Emerging literature:– Butts (social network structure)– Sutton (communication via social networks)






Quick Background

• Observations:– Key considerations when planning evacuation:

• Perceived safety (past exerpiences)• Delivery of information (face-to-face, radio/tv, etc.)• Perceived storm severity (cat 1, cat 2, cat 3)

• Hypothesis: Social media and mobile technology are changing

the ways in which individuals obtain, deliver and perceive information when planning an evacuation.






Research Approach

• Questions of Focus1. What percentage of households use mobile

technology during an evacuation?2. How frequently are mobile devices and social

networks used and what content is being viewed/posted?

3. To what extent is information being used dynamically during evacuation?






Research Approach

• Mail Survey– 1,100 random households in Monmouth, NJ– Mandatory evacuation order – Diverse demographics– Comparatively less storm damage

• Tailored Design Method (Dillman)– 3 waves (postcard survey)– Cash incentive in 1st wave






Research Approach






Preliminary Results

• Initial Mailing: 4/26/2013– Survey administration still in-process

• As of 3 June 2013:– 124 responses (11.3% response rate)• 1st wave results only• Does not include undeliverable addresses






Preliminary Results

14

25

43

29

Age of Household Members

< 20

20 - 40

40 - 60

> 60

0-14 15-40 40-60 >600%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Owning at least one device with internet connection

Do OwnDon’t Own

Ow

ners

hip

Perc

enta

ge






Preliminary Results

Smartphone Cell Phone iPad/Tablet Laptop0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Differences in Mobile Devices owned between Age Groups

< 2020 - 40 40 - 60> 60

Ow

ners

hip

Perc

enta

ge

• individuals were allowed to indicate ownership of multiple devices• Smartphone indicates internet-capable device• Cell Phone indicates no internet capability






Preliminary Results

• Facebook and Google+ were the two most frequently used Online social media sites• Younger generation most frequent

• Older generation still social media savvy

0-1415-40

40-60>60

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Facebook

Not used

UsedAge

Perc

enta

ge o

f Age

Gro

up

0-14 15-40 40-60 >600%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Google+

AgePe

rcen

tage

of A

ge G

roup






Preliminary Results

Communication with Immediate Family

No Usage Low Usage Medium Usage

High Usage05

101520253035

Face to Face


High Usage0

5

10

15

20

25

Text Messaging


High Usage05

101520253035

Phone Conversations


High Usage05

101520253035

E-mail


High Usage05

1015202530354045

Social Networking

Normal Condi-tions

During Hurricane Sandy






Preliminary Results

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The effect of different information sources on evacuation decision making

No Impact

Slight Impact

Moderate Impact

Strong Impact






Preliminary Results

4

12

2

Evacuation Distance (from Evacuee Household)

<10 MILES20-5050-100100+

5

1

2

1

Evacuation Time (from Evacuee Household)

<1 HOUR1-2 HOURS2-5 HOURS10+






Preliminary Results

Facebook Twitter Google + Instagram0

1

2

3

4

5

Social networking programs used during evacuation

Used SometimesUsed DailyUsed Hourly






Next Steps

• Finish Execution of Tailored Design Method• Convert Survey Results to Electronic Format• Mine and Assess Data• Test Hypotheses• Disseminate Results






Thank You

Questions?

Justin Yates – ISE [email protected]

ETB 4079


mailto:[email protected]

ISE - Texas A&M University 1/17 Identifying social network and mobile technology use in Hurricane...

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