HMSI CyberCollaborator for Integrated Hazard Management

This project will demonstrate the feasibility of a new technology, called HMSI CyberCollaborator, for integrated hazard management. HMSI CyberCollaborator will enable collaborators to efficiently discuss and share information, data, and modeling results, whether they are in the same location or across the country. Prototype technology created at the University of Illinois will be adapted to this purpose and an iterative requirements gathering process will identify essential features for implementation in Phase II. A demonstration of the technology will be created by coupling the system with widely adopted data management and simulation models from Haested Methods and Power World. Realistic disaster scenarios will be created for hypothetical power and water networks and implemented within HMSI CyberCollaborator. This will enable potential customers to envision how it will improve situational awareness and decision making both on a day-to-day basis and during a crisis. The demonstration will be shared with a number of potential utility and government customers to obtain feedback on the system. Potential markets and market dynamics for each of four potential classes of customers (water utilities, power utilities, major utility customers, and government agencies) will be assessed, with the objective of describing the commercial potential for HMSI CyberCollaborator and the mechanisms that can be used to enter these markets.