MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTER FOR EARTHQUAKE
ENGINEERING RESEARCH
Sanjay Coelho and Stephanie E. Chang
University of British Columbia, School of Community and Regional Planning
ABSTRACT
We used a structured interview approach to examine the potential for water and electric
power utilities to use system performance measures that look at a range of technical,
organizational, social and economic impacts of seismic disasters. We interviewed several
utility technical managers and consultants in the water and electric power industries in a
number of seismically vulnerable communities concerning the use of system performance
objectives in utilities, to understand current practice. Also, with regard to the computer model
that we are seeking to develop (see Background), the respondents were asked to identify the
potential benefits and weaknesses of the use of performance objectives in such a model, and
how different stakeholders within a utility might use the model for their purposes. Additionally,
they were asked to identify metrics (parameters) that could be incorporated into such
performance objectives that would be useful for different stakeholders within a utility, and their
perspectives on how a multi-stakeholder process to develop performance objectives for such
a model should be conducted. These considerations are significant; performance objectives
can serve an important role in setting benchmarks for community disaster resilience.
BACKGROUND
This work is part of a study entitled “Direct Losses, Social Impacts, and Community
Resilience: Los Angeles Lifeline Study.” The overall purpose of the study is to develop a
computer model of how electric power and water systems ("lifelines") might perform in future
earthquakes, and how this performance might be enhanced through pre-disaster mitigation to
reduce community losses. The model will be pilot-tested for Los Angeles. We interviewed
technical managers and consultants at lifeline organizations regarding current uses of system
performance measure