Illustrative Projects:
Hazards & Vulnerability Analysis & Loss Estimates
Determine exposure to natural, technological, and human-induced hazards; evaluate causes and impacts of actual and potential emergencies and disasters; assess local, regional, and national vulnerabilities; and prepare damage scenarios and loss estimates.

National Earthquake Loss Estimation Model Development
Under contract to the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), Mr. Olson served on the Project Working Group/Earthquake Committee to manage the development of a new GIS-based national earthquake loss estimation model ("HAZUS").  Mr. Olson has focused specifically on casualty and economic loss modeling, program implementation issues, and the software’s use for hazard mitigation.

Methodologies for Evaluating the Socio-Economic Consequences of Large Earthquakes
With financing by the Kajima Corporation of Japan, Mr. Olson led for three years, a U.C. Berkeley team to develop loss estimation modeling and analysis techniques related to buildings and contents, water systems, casualties, benefit-cost analysis, and economic feasibility.  Most recently, ROA supported the follow-up development of decision-support software to help building owners choose optimal strategies for replacing or repairing their damaged buildings.

Butte County General Plan Safety Element
ROA prepared a new Safety Element for Butte County's revised General Plan.  ROA provided technical information about geologic hazards, structural hazards, critical facilities, urban and wildland fire hazards, flood hazards and dam safety, hazardous materials storage and disposal, airport safety, and general emergency management issues.

Earthquake Planning Scenarios
ROA supported the development of several new earthquake planning scenarios for the State of California.  These were for the Rogers Creek Fault, the north coast segment of the San Andreas Fault, and faults in the San Diego-Tijuana International Border Region.  Such scenarios are widely used for emergency planning and public educational purposes.  ROA also completed a report on the preparation and use of earthquake planning scenarios in the U.S. for the Institute of Future Technology, Tokyo. 

Earthquake Damage Propagation Flow Model Development
ROA and staff from Kajima Corporation's Technical Research Institute conceptually designed an "Earthquake Damage Propagation Flow Model."  This model linked various socioeconomic impacts with specific types of damage to identify the greatest post-earthquake response and recovery problems for major urban areas.

Earthquake Impact Assessment on Telecommunications Services
For the Institute for Future Technology and the Nippon Telephone and Telegraph Company in Tokyo, ROA prepared a summary report about the effects of the Loma Prieta Earthquake on commercial communications systems.  This report focused mainly on types of damage, restoration times, and steps being taken to lessen future impacts.

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