Quantum Approaches for Disaster Resilience in Interdependent Underground and Transport Systems
Abstract: Underground infrastructure and transport systems are closely interconnected. During disasters, local failures can propagate across these systems, reduce mobility and emergency accessibility, and delay inspection, repair, and recovery. This Activity Group (AG) will investigate where quantum computing and quantum theory can contribute to three connected challenges: identifying critical components and cross-system dependencies, characterising disruption propagation and cascading accessibility loss, and supporting protection, emergency response, and recovery planning under uncertainty.
The AG will consider quantum computing approaches for search, optimisation, sampling, simulation, and learning, alongside mathematical perspectives from quantum theory on network structure, connectivity, propagation, and collective system behaviour. Selected quantum approaches will be compared with appropriate classical methods using transparent criteria covering analytical insight, computational performance, scalability, and practical relevance.
Over twelve months, the AG will bring together TUUI members and external specialists, organise a small online half-day to one-day workshop, and identify two or three priority research questions. The group will develop a concise research agenda and an initial collaborative study using real disaster or infrastructure data. It will aim to develop the initial findings into a journal manuscript, with the goal of pursuing at least one joint external funding proposal. Membership will remain open to interested researchers and practitioners from relevant disciplines.
Junxiang Xu, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Qianwen (Vivian) Guo, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]