Cristina Ruiz-Martin

Modeling of a Nuclear Emergency Plan: Communication Management

ABSTRACT The Nuclear Emergency influence domain spreads over a large number of systems of different natures. Nuclear Emergency Plans (NEPs) are usually designed using a top-down approach, establishing a hierarchy working as a command chain. Although this provides advantages in terms of control, it might not be flexible enough to face unpredicted emergent behaviors due to complex interactions among the systems involved. Using a real case study, this work models the organizational framework defined in a NEP and analyzes its communication and command chain network structure. We also discuss the results of the communication and command chain network analysis to facilitate the assessment of key indicators to improve the NEP: resilience, adaptability, and responsiveness.

The Application of the Viable System Model to Enhance Organizational Resilience

The interest in how to build resilient organizations is increasing in the last two decades. However , there is no formal and accepted framework yet. In this paper, we argue that the application of the principles of the Viable System Model (VSM) improves organizational resilience. We also argue that the VSM constitutes a valid framework to design resilient organizations.

A hybrid approach to study communication in emergency plans

Recent disasters have shown the need to improve emergency plans and the importance of the communications while managing the emergency. These communications can be modeled as an information transmission problem in multiplex social networks in which agents interact through multiple interaction channels (layers). Here, we propose a hybrid model combining Agent-Based Modeling (ABM), Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS), Network theory and Monte Carlo Simulation. We explore how the information spread from agents in an emergency plan taking into account several communication channels. We developed formal and simulation models of information dissemination in such emergency plans. We reuse a model architecture based on ABM, DEVS & Network Theory taking into account the behavior of the nodes in the network and the different transmission mechanisms in the layers. Finally, we execute a scenario to observe the communications using a DEVS network modeling platform powered by VLE.

Formal Abstract Modeling of Dynamic Multiplex Networks

We describe an Abstract Model for Diffusion Processes to simu-late diffusion processes in multiplex dynamic networks using formal modeling and simulation (M&S) methodologies (in this case, the DEVS formalism). This approach helps the users to implement diffusion processes over a network by using the net-work specification and the diffusion rules. The result of combin-ing the network specifications and the diffusion rules is an Ab-stract Model for Diffusion Processes, which is formally defined in DEVS, and can be converted into a computerized model. Using the proposed Abstract Model for Diffusion Processes, we can study a diffusion process in multiplex networks with a formal simulation algorithm, improving the models definition. We present a case study using the CDBoost simulation engine.

Modeling the communications in an emergency plan with P-DEVS

Recent disasters reveal that current emergency plans are not enough robust to treat this situations. Doing real life simulacrums to test some aspects of the emergency plans causes the stagnation of the normal work in the organizations and they carry high costs. Simulation tools are a affordable way to deal with these tests. In this work, we use P-DEVS to test the communication system in a nuclear emergency plan.