Title: "Resilience Hubs: Human-Centered Analysis of Transportation Considerations"

Resilience hubs are emerging as a strategy to reduce the effects of disasters on communities as resource distribution centers and/or shelters while also serving the needs of residents daily. However, the current implementation of resilience hubs has failed to integrate transportation in the placement of hubs, determine transportation services to/from hubs, or understand the mobility needs of residents most likely to use the hubs. In this lecture, a series of research studies and results will be presented that involve different transportation aspects of resilience hubs, with a strong focus on human-centered considerations. To begin implementing a stronger connection between transportation and resilience hubs, a series of recommendations will also be presented, offering strategies for co-benefits and equitable outcomes. Moreover, the research shows the value of needs-based assessments, behavioral research design, and mixed methods for transportation questions, critical issues, and solutions.

Dr. Stephen Wong
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Alberta

Dr. Stephen Wong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta and leads the Resilient and Sustainable Mobility and Evacuation (RESUME) Group. Dr. Wong’s research focuses on the intersection of disasters/emergencies, decision-making, and transportation and works to create more resilient, environmentally friendly, and equitable transportation systems. He is actively involved in resilience and young professional activities at the Transportation Research Board and evacuation research at the International Association for Fire Safety Science. Dr. Wong received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 2020.