This presentation will provide an overview and insights into the IBM Corporate Service Corps program, the flood prediction system and the real-time flood simulation. We first present the flood level simulation of Metro Manila. We then describe the architecture of the proof-of-concept in some detail. In particular, we discuss the long-term goal by combining several on-the-shelf technologies together, analyzing rainfall data from rain gauges and cloud moistures in satellite images to finally use a simulation model to predict the flood level.

1. March 2011
IBM Corporate Service Corps
Helping Create Interactive Flood Maps
H. J. Schick
IBM Germany Research & Development GmbH © 2011 IBM Corporation

2. Agenda
 This presentation will provide an overview and insights into the IBM Corporate Service
Corps program, the flood prediction system and the real-time flood simulation.
 We first present the flood level simulation of Metro Manila.
 We then describe the architecture of the proof-of-concept in some detail.
 In particular, we discuss the long-term goal by combining several on-the-shelf technologies
together, analyzing rainfall data from rain gauges and cloud moistures in satellite images to
finally use a simulation model to predict the flood level.
2 © 2011 IBM Corporation

4. Introducing the IBM Corporate Service Corps Program
 IBM’s version of the Peace Corps, part of IBM’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and
Corporate Volunteering program
 Program is funded by the IBM Foundation
 Started in July 2008; in 2009, 530 IBMers representing more than 60 countries have worked
on projects in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
1. Immersion in strategic emerging
markets
2. Develop global teaming and leadership 1. Acquire Global Leadership Skills
3. Exposure to diverse cultures 2. Develop as Global Citizens
4. Outside of the traditional office
5. Problem solving in challenging & 3. Help Organizations in Emerging
ambiguous environments
6. Leaders who can deliver a “Smart Markets to Further Develop & Grow
Planet”
4 © 2011 IBM Corporation

5. The “Corporate Service Corps” Experience
• IBM declared growth markets
Country • Emerging or pre emerging
• Address societal, educational, environmental challenges
• Logistics
NGO Partner • Project planning
• In-country support
• Approximately 3 months
Preparing for • 40-60 hours of pre work to familiarize participants with language, culture,
the Experience socioeconomic and political climate of the destination country
• Team building and leadership development workshops
• 1 month
The In-Country • Team-based work focused on core societal, educational and
Experience environmental challenges
• Embedded in local country
• Approximately 2 months
Post-service • Share the Service Corps experience with colleagues, family, friends and
Experience your home community
• Connect to IBM’s business development process
5 © 2011 IBM Corporation

6. Value Proposition: The Triple Benefit
For IBM, the company
• Stronger footprint in For the IBMer
critical emerging • Improve leadership skills
markets and capabilities
• Increased employee • Enrich understanding of
satisfaction, and core societal issues
performance affecting business
• Brand and reputation • Help become a global
enhancement citizen
For the host country / community / society
• The CSC clients will receive pro-bono IBM consulting and subject matter expertise, bringing in
business strategy, information technology, sales & marketing, organization change, and other
skills to the engagements
• Participants return with a renewed sense of giving and volunteering to serve meaningful causes
throughout the world
6 © 2011 IBM Corporation

7. Carlos P. Romulo was a Filipino diplomat,
politician, soldier, journalist and author.
During the selection of the UN's official seal, he looked over the seal-to-
be and asked, "Where is the Philippines?"
US Senator Warren Austin, head of the selection committee, explained,
"It's too small to include. If we put the Philippines, it would be no more
than a dot.”
"I want that dot!" insisted Romulo.
Today, a tiny dot between the
Pacific Ocean and the South China
Sea can be found on the UN seal.
7 © 2011 IBM Corporation

8. 8 © 2011 IBM Corporation

9. 9 © 2011 IBM Corporation

10. 10 © 2011 IBM Corporation

11. 11 © 2011 IBM Corporation

12. Human Development Index
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic used to rank countries by level
of "human development" and separate developed (high development), developing (middle
development), and underdeveloped (low development) countries.
12 © 2011 IBM Corporation

13. Comparison: Germany and the Philippines
Human Development Index # 10 # 97
VERY HIGH HUMAN DEVELOPMENT MEDIUM HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Life expectancy at birth 80.2 72.3
Mean years of schooling 12.2 8.7
Population 81,471,834 101,833,938
Population growth rate -0.208% 1.903%
GDP (purchasing power parity) $2.96 trillion (#6) $353.2 billion (# 34)
Number of Disasters (2000 – 2009) 31 145
Source: Human Development Report 2010 & International Disaster Database | EM-DAT
13 © 2011 IBM Corporation

14. Symbolize Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
Peace, Truth and Justice
Unity, Freedom and People's Democracy
Symbolize eight provinces to revolt against the Spanish colonizers
Patriotism and Valor
14 © 2011 IBM Corporation

15. Natural Disasters
Source: International Disaster Database | EM-DAT
15 © 2011 IBM Corporation

16. typhoon ۬
ty·phoon
[taɪˈfun]
–noun
1. a tropical cyclone or hurricane of the western Pacific area and
the china seas.
2. a violent storm or tempest of India.
3. ( initial capital letter ) Military . a. a single-engine British
ground attack aircraft of world War II.
b. NATO's name for a class of nuclear-powered Soviet ballistic
missile submarine carrying 20 multiwarhead missiles.
16 © 2011 IBM Corporation

17. IBM Corporate Service Corps: Contributing Technology, Services & Expertise to Disaster Preparedness & Response in the Philippines
IBM Corporate Service Corps in Manila, Philippines
This year, two global IBM teams arrived in Manila, Philippines with a single mission.
„
“ Assist humanitarian aid organizations, research institutes and local agencies
to enhance early warning systems and to coordinate an effective disaster
response using information technology.
Background
Earlier CSC teams worked in Davao City,
In the aftermath of the floods caused by Tropical Storm Ondoy
Tagbilaran, Bohol, Subic / Zambales, Ilo
(Ketsana) and Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) that affected Metro
Ilo and Bacolod.
Manila and its greater Capital Region in September 2009, IBM
committed technology, service and expertise to disaster “CSC Philippines Team 8” Profile
rehabilitation and disaster preparedness efforts. 8 IBM employees, 4 weeks in-country
The CSC teams deployed to the Philippines this year are part of 6 Countries: Canada, Germany, India, Slovakia,
a greater effort by IBM to assist in humanitarian response Switzerland, United States
globally. IBM responded to areas afflicted by natural disaster 3 clients
including the earthquakes in Sichuan province, China and Chile.
National Philippine Philippine
Institute of Red Institute of
Geological Cross Seismology and
Sciences Volcanology
17 *CSC program statistics by end of 2010. © 2011 IBM Corporation

18. IBM Corporate Service Corps: Helping Create Interactive Flood Maps for a Smarter Philippines
Assist the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) in the
design and development of the “Flood Prediction System” project.
Project Highlights Objectives
NIGS developed a detailed terrain model and a  Determine the hardware and software requirements.
flood routing model of Metro Manila.  Determine the personnel and project management
requirements.
This Corporate Service Corps project captured
the 2010 Asian Corporate Social Responsibility  Provide project management to staff on the project.
Excellence Award for IBM Philippines.
Innovative Approach to Disaster Risk
Reduction
 Capitalizes on existing technologies
Flood Simulation Input Processing
 Recognizes the lack of community awareness
Satellite Image and need for an adequate early warning system
Interpret cloud  Helps skirt the daunting cost involved in flood
moisture data to disaster prevention and planning
estimate rainfall
amount and direction.
Flood Simulation Output Generation
Rainfall Data Hazard Map
Collect and assemble Visualize flood depth by
rainfall measurements creating geometric map
using mobile phone overlays to publish on
messaging (SMS). the Internet.
18 © 2011 IBM Corporation

19. 2009 Pacific Typhoon Season in the Philippines
Ketsana (Ondoy) Parma (Pepeng)
Typhoon (JMA) Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS) Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Formed September 23, 2009 Formed September 27, 2009
Source: Wikipedia.com
Dissipated September 30, 2009 Dissipated October 14, 2009
Highest Highest
140 km/h (85 mph) 195 km/h (120 mph)
winds winds
Damage 244 million USD Damage 608 million USD
Death 464 Death 465
19 © 2011 IBM Corporation

20. Ketsana (Ondoy)
20 © 2011 IBM Corporation
Source: Wikipedia.com

21. Parma (Pepeng)
21 © 2011 IBM Corporation
Source: Wikipedia.com

22. Severe Tropical Storm Parma interacting
with Typhoon Melor on October 7, 2009.
22 © 2011 IBM Corporation
Source: Wikipedia.com

23. 22 official Storms, 13 official Typhoons
23 © 2011 IBM Corporation
Source: Wikipedia.com

24. National Institute of Geological Sciences
 Multi-disciplinary forum for the study of processes that shape the Earth and offers
undergraduate education in geology.
 NIGS provides courses at the graduate level in the fields of geochemistry, solid-earth
geophysics, volcanology, volcano-tectonics, marine geology, hydrogeology and
paleontology.
 They are the leading earth science research and teaching institution in the Philippines and is
often consulted by the Philippine Senate, Congress and other institutions on issues involving
earth science and public safety.
 Examples of these are the recent flooding and landslide event related to the Typhoons
Ondoy and Pepeng, and the potential of earthquake damage due to the Marikina Valley
Fault System.
24 © 2011 IBM Corporation

25. Challenges
 Driven by increasing demand of flood level prediction in Metro Manila there is a growing
interest in an adequate early warning system.
 Combine latest flood simulation tools with basic web mapping service applications and
several on-the-shelf technologies.
 Present the simulation result as hazard map to understand and predict the flood level in
Metro Manila.
 Do flood level simulation in real-time to alert people before and during an on-going tropical
storm.
25 © 2011 IBM Corporation

26. Real-time Flood Simulation
Input Processing Flood Simulation Output Processing
Elevation Data
Internet
Webpage
Rainfall Data
• Digital image processing and • NIGS developed a detailed terrain model and • Conversion of geospatial vector data
analysis of satellite photos. flood routing model of Metro Manila. into a XML-based language schema.
• Gathering and processing of rainfall • Flood Simulation in a flood routing model to • Expressing geographic annotations
data received by rain gauges illustrate flood hazards, regulating floodplain and visualization of two-dimensional
zoning or designing flood mitigation. maps.
• Create and configure “flood simulation” project,
execute simulation, post-process grid elements
and topographical data into a max flow depth
map.
26 © 2011 IBM Corporation

27. Hazard Maps with Low Zoom Level
> 1.5 m
HIGH FLOOD HAZARD
0.5 – 1.5 m
MODERATE FLOOD HAZARD
0.1 – 0.5 m
LOW FLOOD HAZARD
Low zoom level to reroute emergency rescue teams around flooded areas and improve the planning of
disaster preparedness, response and recovery teams.
27 © 2011 IBM Corporation

28. Hazard Maps with Detailed Zoom Level
> 1.5 m
HIGH FLOOD HAZARD
0.5 – 1.5 m
MODERATE FLOOD HAZARD
0.1 – 0.5 m
LOW FLOOD HAZARD
High and more detailed zoom level to warn people in which areas the flood might occur and visualize
areas that needs to be evacuated.
28 © 2011 IBM Corporation

29. Input Processing with Satellite Images
 Step 1: Image Acquisition
Download satellite images from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)1 or Ensemble Tropical Rainfall Potential (eTRAP)2.
 Step 2: Preprocessing
Processes input data to produce output that is used as input to another program. Operations of preprocessing prepare data for subsequent
analysis that attempts to correct or compensate systematic image errors.
 Step 3: Segmentation
Partitioning a digital image into multiple segments to simplify and change the representation of an image into something that is more meaningful
and easier to analyze.
 Step 4: Representation & Description
Object has to be represented by its boundary and the object boundary has to be described by its length, orientation number of concavities, etc.
 Step 5: Recognition and Interpretation
Analyzing cloud moistures to estimate its movement and the amount of possible rainfall.
1 TRMM: http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov
2 eTRaP: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/etrap.html
29 © 2011 IBM Corporation

30. Example Satellite Images
30 © 2011 IBM Corporation

31. Input Processing of Rainfall Data Received by Rain Gauges
 Step 1: Data Acquisition and Combining
Request rainfall data from rain gauges installed at cell sites. The request and result will be send via a single SMS messages and will be stored in
a database.
 Step 2: Data Combining
Combine former and current rainfall date of several cell sites to create a detailed overview of a certain region in the Philippines (e.g. Metro
Manila).
 Step 3: Recognition and Interpretation
Detect amount of rainfall for certain areas and its dedicated grid elements.
31 © 2011 IBM Corporation

32. Output Processing
 Step 1: Conversion of Coordinate System
– Convert from grid base Universal Traverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system into Google Earth internal geographic coordinates (latitude /
longitude) on the World Geodetic System. The coordinates are stored in a geospatial vector data file, which is produced by the flood simulation
software .
 Step 2: Polygon Creation Based on Flood Depth
– Read and create polygons and categorize them according the flood depth in different ranges. Every range will have a specified color depending
on the specified color scheme.
 Step 3: Encoding of XML Schemas
– Save all converted coordinates and created polygons in a XML-based language schema. This language scheme will include place marks,
images, polygons and the corresponding color scheme for expressing the different flood level. The file can be visualized via existing Internet
based, two-dimensional mapping services, such as Google Earth or Google Maps.
 Step 4: Design a Webpage to Embed XML Schema
– Design a (dynamic) HTML and Javascript based webpage to embedded the encoded XML Schema. This webpage can be used to reroute
emergency rescue teams around flooded areas, improve the planning of disaster preparedness, response and recovery teams, as well as it
warns people in which areas the flood might occur.
32 © 2011 IBM Corporation

33. Software Requirements
Input Processing Output Processing
and
Flood Simulation
Data Encoding • Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) • ESRI Shapefile or simply a “shapefile” is a popular
• Ensemble Tropical Rainfall Potential (eTRAP) geospatial vector data format for geographic
• NEXRAD Rainfall Data ASCII Format information systems software.
• Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is a XML-based
language schema for expressing geographic annotation
and visualization on existing or future Internet-based,
two-dimensional maps.
Programming and Scripting • Java Development Kit (JDK) • HyperText Markup Language (HTML), is the
Languages • Microsoft Windows Scripting Host (WSH) predominant markup language for web pages.
• JavaScript is an object-oriented scripting language.
• Java Development Kit (JDK)
• PHP Hypertext Processor is a widely used, general-
purpose scripting language that was originally designed
for web development to produce dynamic web pages.
Client and Server Applications • FLO-2D is a two-dimensional flood routing model • Apache HTTP Server is an open-source HTTP server
software to do flood hazard mitigation and planning. for modern operating systems.
• MySQL is a relational database management system.
Operating Systems • Microsoft Windows XP, 7 or Windows Server 2008 • Linux
R2 Standard.
Application Programming • Not Applicable • Google Maps is as a basic web mapping service
Interface application.
• GeoTools is a open source Java geographic
information system toolkit.
• JTS Topology Suite is providing spatial object model
and fundamental geometric functions.
33 © 2011 IBM Corporation

34. Hardware Requirements
Input Processing Output Processing
and
Flood Simulation
Basic System Configuration x3650 M2 x3650 M2
• Xeon 4C E5506 80W 2.13GHz/800MHz/4MB L3 • Xeon 4C E5506 80W 2.13GHz/800MHz/4MB L3
• 2x2GB • 2x2GB
• O/Bay 2.5in HS SAS • O/Bay 2.5in HS SAS
• SR BR10i • SR BR10i
• Multi-Burner • Multi-Burner
• 675W p/s • 675W p/s
Additional Processor + Intel Xeon 4C Processor Model E5506 80W
2.13GHz/800MHz/4MB L3
Additional Memory + 2GB (1x2GB) Dual Rank x8 PC3-10600 CL9 ECC + 2GB (1x2GB) Dual Rank x8 PC3-10600 CL9 ECC
DDR3-1333 LP RDIMM DDR3-1333 LP RDIMM
Storage + ServeRAID-MR10i SAS/SATA Controller + ServeRAID-MR10i SAS/SATA Controller
+ IBM 146GB 2.5in SFF Slim-HS 10K 6Gbps SAS + IBM 160GB 2.5in SFF Slim-HS 7.2K NL SATA HDD
HDD
Additional Power Supply + Redundant 675W Power supply + Redundant 675W Power supply
Operating System + Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard (1-4 CPU, 5
CAL) ROK - ML (BR,EN,FR,SP)
Note: The system configuration above is an initial example needed by the long-term flood simulation implementation.
34 © 2011 IBM Corporation

35. © 2011 IBM Corporation

36. © 2011 IBM Corporation
Photos by Christy Feng, IBM USA

37. © 2011 IBM Corporation

38. “Simple things should be
simple, complex things
should be possible.”
38 © 2011 IBM Corporation

39. Example: Human Centered Design
Source: http://www.ideo.com/
Human-Centered Design (HCD) is a process and a set of techniques used to create new
solutions for the world. When we say solutions, we mean products, services, environments,
organizations, and modes of interaction.
39 © 2011 IBM Corporation

40. “Don’t focus just on the
facts; get personal.”
40 © 2011 IBM Corporation

41. Example: Team Building
Source: http://www.pentaeder.de
41 © 2011 IBM Corporation

42. “Open yourself to the
totality of experience; be
agile and flexible!”
42 © 2011 IBM Corporation

43. Source: http://www.dilbert.com/
43 © 2011 IBM Corporation

44. “When in Rome, do as the
Romans do.”
44 © 2011 IBM Corporation

45. Thank you very much for your attention.
45 © 2011 IBM Corporation