Developers 1997-2006 USDA FS, Northeastern Area, Center for Urban & Community Forestry Davey Resource Group

Storm Damage Assessment

Protocol

Overview

Quick Shot Sampling Protocol Estimating Engine Report Means Data Collection

Quick shot

What’s this all about?

Easy and accurate estimateTree storm damageCosts for recovery

Data quality and integritySimple methodQuick reporting

Context of use

PlanningFramed by overall natural disaster plan

FEMA funding: Pre-Disaster Mitigation ProgramTree Emergency Plan Worksheet (Burban)

RecoveryFirst 24 hoursResponse to state emergency agency

Pre-storm setup Create random sample

Before emergency! Use electronic or manual means

Measure tree density and size classWithin ROWAlso 50’ back from ROW edge

Take final steps Pre-Storm report form: useful estimate Storage for future use

Post-storm work Revisit sample segmentsRecord for all trees within 50’ of ROW

Choose method of estimating debris (by segment) Indirect by average crown loss class

0-25%, 26-50%, etc. Historical records form basis Loss category images available from FS

Direct as CY of debris Hazard pruning by size class Hazard removal by size class

Paper or PDAs

Enter data, report results

Sampling protocol

Based on random samplingGeneral discussion earlier

Storm typeTested for ice storms

Low variance 2% sample got within 5% of true value in field test

Not tested for wind stormsLarger varianceMay affect required sample size

Area of ongoing i-Tree research

Estimating Engine

SpreadsheetEstimator built as Excel® spreadsheet6 worksheets

Home/ReadMe – navigation, helpPreStorm Data – setup dataPreStorm Analysis – preliminary analysisPostStorm Data – damage dataPostStorm Analysis – report formCodes, lookup tables – functional elements

Use of Excel® based on user survey

Hyperlinks for easy

navigation

Report Means

Procedure

EstimationStarts with field data Uses local costsScales up with simple formulas

Calculation page = reportCredibility Ease, speed

Validation

Sampling indicated on reportMeans of random samplingPercent of street miles sampled

Numbers derived right on sheetDebris Pruning, removal

Local costs shown

These values can be adjusted by end user

Data Collection

Data collection

MeansPaper formsPDAs

Paper forms

Manual data entry

Easiest to use Excel’s entry formHighlight top row of

headersOn menu, click

Data Form Ignore any error

message!

Can also just start typing at cell A1

Paper advantages

Low costNo technical training No batteriesToughAlways have backup to electronicCurrently only way to record non-linear plots

Paper disadvantages

Error-proneDecipherment QA harder

Can be slower in field

Much slower in office

PDAs

Hardware

i-Tree only supports Pocket PC operating system

Cost$200-400 or more

Making the choice Online

Search “PDA review” CNET.com, PCMAG.com, etc.

Local merchant

Software: handheldInstalled on handheld through Start menu

Data uploaded automatically during synchronization

Details in Manual

Software: desktop

Management of data and applications

Simple, intuitive

Details in Manual

Desktop interface

Installs with single double-click

Requires user input Community nameStreet mileageRandom selection file locationNew Interface makes this automatic

Places field data into spreadsheet

PDA Advantages

Fast data collection

Low error rate

No data entry

Many processes automated

PDA Disadvantages

Up-front equipment expense

Training required

Low battery life in coldSome PDAs have battery packs available

Units not protected Plastic freezer bag often sufficientWaterproof cases (e.g., Otter) available

Exercise!