Advanced numerical modeling and analysis to solve problems in science, engineering, commerce and public policy.

KAC Services for Land Use Planning and Development

Land use planning and development requires a careful balancing of often-competing demands and constraints. Addressing the potential impacts of natural hazards further complicate this already difficult task. While typically little can be done to reduce the severity or frequency of the underlying hazard, much can be done in site development and community planning to reduce the impact of those hazards, by proper siting of development and by designing or strengthening development and infrastructure to withstand prevalent hazards.

Kinetic Analysis Corporation (KAC) produces clear, scientifically based estimates of the impact of natural and man-made hazards on the built environment and the economy. For a specific site or area, KAC's hazard assessments can not only tell you how bad hazard impacts would be, but more importantly how often wind, wave and flood damage can be expected. Knowing that a category 3 storm will flood of your city is interesting; knowing that the Hillcrest subdivision can expect to suffer 5% damage from flooding and 18% damage from wind every 20 years is information that can be put to use.

KAC uses advanced numeric modeling to provide information that allows you to make key decisions about your community or your development. This information informs the design process by providing statistical estimates for wind speed, wave height and storm surge elevation for return periods ranging from 10 to 100 years or more. In addition, some land uses and developments, such as hospitals and emergency facilities, must be able to withstand higher hazard levels, due to their critical role during emergencies. For this purpose, KAC provides hazard estimates at a variety of prediction limits, allowing engineers and development planners to set appropriate design standards.

Strengths of KAC's approach

• Quantifiable prediction limits for hazard estimates allow accurate selection of safety factors in design, which helps avoid over- or under-design related to coastal hazards.

•  KAC's TAOS modeling platform is built on a GIS base, enabling the use of current (or as-built) bathymetry, topography and land cover information in storm hazard modeling.

• TAOS accurately models coastal and storm hazards, using a coupled hazard modeling approach that reflects the actual interaction of these hazards within a storm system.

KAC products for Land and Development Planning

• Probabilistic storm hazard assessments provide information on the location and severity of storm hazards for a variety of return periods and prediction limits. This information can be used to plan land uses and to focus development in lower-risk areas.

• Risk assessments and loss estimation provide quantified estimates of losses, by location and type of exposure, which can be used to prioritize investments and development decisions. Based on rigorous hazard assessment and statistical analysis, KAC estimates damage and loss probabilities for prevalent hazards, using either a generic or client-supplied exposure database.

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Last modified: 10/17/07