Visualization and spatial analysis of open data for evacuation planning – pilot study of the Dukovany nuclear power plant (Czech Republic)

Various types of spatial data can be used in different parts of crisis management. We concentrate on support for evacuations. Analyses of the current situation show, that cartographic visualization can be used in different phases of an evacuation. We test the potential of open data in this paper. They can be used without legislative restrictions and for free. We choose the region around nuclear power plant Dukovany (Czech Republic) for the pilot study. Handbook for public in the case of radiation accident already exists and describes the key phases like evacuation assembly areas, evacuation routes and safe area. But the potential of cartographic visualization is not used therein. We provided two examples of maps based on open data for the evacuation mechanism improvement. We created a map showing the actual number of inhabitants based on statistical data around the power plant as the first use case. This map can be used during evacuation planning. Second use case demonstrates possibility of evacuation route visualization. It can be used for navigation during evacuation. Proposed cartographic visualization and their possible extensions are discussed for both use cases. The advantages, limitations and future development are commented in the conclusion.