Assessing surface water pollution in Hanoi, Vietnam, using remote sensing and machine learning algorithms.

Rapid urbanization led to significant land-use changes and posed threats to surface water bodies worldwide, especially in the Global South. Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, has been facing chronic surface water pollution for more than a decade. Developing a methodology to better track and analyze pollutants using available technologies to manage the problem has been imperative.

Pausing the Pandemic: Understanding and Managing Traveler and Community Spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii.

In the absence of a vaccine, nonpharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing and travel reductions were the only strategies for slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey data from Hawaii ( = 22,200) collected in March through May of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, the differences between traveler spreaders who brought the disease into the state and community spreaders were investigated. In addition to describing the demographic attributes and comparing them with attributes of those who were vulnerable to COVID-19, logit models explaining travel behaviors were developed and tested.

Vulnerabilities and risk perceptions of contracting COVID-19 among Nepali migrant workers.

Social, economic, and demographic characteristics influence public disaster risk perception, including the risk of COVID-19. Migrant workers are one the most vulnerable groups to disasters. More than four million Nepali migrant workers are employed abroad, and millions are working in cities and towns in the country.

Knowledge to action: Resilience planning among state and local transportation agencies in the United States.

The results of a nationwide survey of state and local agencies conducted in 2020 are summarized to understand priorities for improving transportation emergency management (EM) and resilience. Questions on EM activities, policies, and operations were answered by 190 respondents from across the country. In addition to comparing responses across transportation, EM, and other organizations (law enforcement, public works, health, environmental services, etc.

Equity, participation, and planning for recovery in Puerto Rico.

Based on a survey of stakeholders from 34 municipalitiesin Puerto Rico 1 year following HurricaneMaria, this study reports on progress and prioritiesfor longer-term recovery. Following a description ofthe storm and its impacts and an overview of recoveryprinciples, initial insights expressed after the stormare studied. Over 56 percent of respondents rankedthe need for equity considerations as the top recoverypriority, while 23 percent ranked building back faster,and 11 percent supported building back stronger as thetop priority.

Assessment of evacuation training needs: Targeting instruction to meet the requirements of local communities and agencies.

As the need to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major disruptive events continues to become more critical, the use of evacuation as a protective action strategy when confronted with life-threatening disasters is a key component of community resilience planning. While the basic concepts of evacuations are straightforward and consistent across locations and hazard types, the details of planning and managing an evacuation are more varied and complex. To improve evacuation preparedness, the training of emergency managers, police, and transportation agencies becomes key.

Self-reported handheld device use while driving.

In spite of research and awareness of the hazards associated with handheld mobile device use while driving, many motorists continue to engage in this risky behavior. The mobile device use while driving has a detrimental effect on the operation of the vehicle. It contributes significantly to distraction which is a leading cause of accidents.