From Hazards to Resilience: Road Networks under Wildfire and Rainfall induced Landslide Risks
Wildfires and rainfall-induced landslides are reshaping the way we think about infrastructure resilience, with road networks often at the frontline of disruption. In hillside and fire-prone regions like Los Angeles, these hazards can trigger road closures, isolate communities, and create severe challenges for evacuation and recovery. This talk presents data-driven frameworks that combine advanced sensing technologies (LiDAR, geo-tagged cameras) with cutting-edge AI approaches, including graph neural networks and generative models, to model hazard scenarios, assess vulnerabilities, and identify optimal retrofitting strategies. Case studies from Los Angeles demonstrate how these methods provide actionable insights for enhancing the adaptability and sustainability of road networks, offering a path toward more resilient infrastructure in the face of escalating wildfire and rainfall risks.
Debasish Jana is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. He earned his Ph.D. at Rice University and pursued postdoctoral research at the University of California Los Angeles. His research focuses on AI-driven risk assessment and resilience planning for structures and infrastructure networks, particularly under natural hazards such as wildfires, earthquakes, rainfall, and landslides. His work aims to support data-informed decision-making and enhance infrastructure resilience, especially for vulnerable communities.