Evacuation destination choices during Hurricane Ian: A direct demand modeling approach

TL;DR

This study uses mobile device data and social vulnerability factors to model evacuation destination choices during Hurricane Ian, revealing key influences on evacuation behavior and destination attractiveness.

Contribution

It introduces a zone-to-zone demand model incorporating social vulnerability variables and mobile data, addressing recall bias in evacuation studies.

Findings

Vehicle availability significantly affects evacuation demand.

Residence in group quarters influences destination choice.

Travel distance reduces likelihood of longer trips.

Abstract

Hurricanes are causing unprecedented damage to the natural environment, infrastructure, and communities. Understanding evacuation behavior is essential for improving emergency preparedness. Past studies have relied on surveys and interviews, which are prone to recall bias. Additionally, they urge incorporating social vulnerability in evacuation research, emphasizing its impact on evacuation capability and destination choice. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing evacuation behavior using mobile device location data from Hurricane Ian, one of Florida's deadliest hurricanes, and directly incorporating variables from the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) into a zone-to-zone (census tract level) evacuation demand model. We find that vehicle availability, residence in group quarters, road density, and English proficiency have significant effects on evacuation demand, shaping both the ability to evacuate from origin tracts and the attractiveness of destination tracts. Travel impedance, measured as distance, also plays a significant role, with evacuees substantially less likely to travel longer distances.