SIMULATION: Transactions of The Society for Modeling and Simulation International

Wildberger, A. Martin

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600601pmid: N/A

Kanecki, David H.

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600602pmid: N/A

Bruzzone, Agostino G.; Giribone, Pietro; Mosca, Roberto

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600603pmid: N/A

This article proposes a model to evaluate hazardous material fallout. The problem is particularly pertinent since the transport, storage and production of this type of product often occur close to inhabited areas and, in case of accidents, it is important to correctly estimate the lines of action and risk areas. This model can also be used to evaluate the environ mental risk related to specific hazardous installations and therefore can be used to improve industrial planning.

Petty, Mikel D.; Slepow, Mary P.; Horsley, Michele

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600604pmid: N/A

The Plowshares project is applying military constructive simulation technology to training for emergency management. The U. S. Army's Janus combat simulation model was enhanced to support emergency management scenarios that include hurricanes, fires, and chemical spills. The enhanced Janus software, known as TERRA, has been used in a county Emergency Operations Center to provide the stimulus for training events structured as command post exercises. The first phase of the project culminated in a demon stration exercise using the TERRA system at the Orange County Florida Emergency Operations Center. In that demonstration Emergency Operations Center and response agency personnel responded to a hurricane and its subsequent tornadoes, fires, and rubble. This paper describes the overall Plowshares project, the hurricane, tornado, and fire models used in TERRA, and the methods for using TERRA to train emergency managers.

Blitch, John G.; Maurer, Ruth

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600605pmid: N/A

Few disasters inspire more compassion for victims and families than those involving structural collapse situations. Media audiences also sympathize, however, with heroic rescue personnel who are faced with a tremendously complex, hazardous, and often frustrating task environment. Rescue activities in the aftermath of recent earthquakes and bombings indicate a tremendous need for greater access to denied areas within any crisis site involving collapsed structures. Recent developments in the remote inspection industry show great potential for employment of small robotic micro- rover systems in expanded roles for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). Similar progress in computer science research indicates an increasing role for simulation oriented modeling and intelligent decision support tools in USAR resource management procedures.This paper discusses key issues in the application of robotic systems to Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) activities and discusses ongoing development of a knowledge based system for efficient management of automated search assets.

Comair, Claude; Chu, Jason; Ly, Van; Ghali, Prasanna

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600606pmid: N/A

This paper depicts the advances made by our team in the fields of computer science, mainly computer compiler writing and interpreter writing, to define a computer language oriented to solving problems in the field of emergency simulation, database management, interprocess communication and network programming. In this paper, we present a simple model of a structure being subjected to the various effects of a tremor. In the case study presented here, the building is designed to withstand a certain force beyond which a partial or total destruction will occur. The computer model developed in this paper will show at which point the structure will start to collapse as well as the evaluation of the casualties that may result from such destruction. The result may be used by a professional team of experts in various fields in order to study the various scenarios that may occur if a tremor hits the structure. Evacuation or emergency response operations could be planned in advance. Other emergency situations such as mass migration of population due to other natural disasters such as floods, tornados, and fire can be studied and simulated.

Blitch, Major John G.; Maurer, Ruth

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600607pmid: N/A

Few disasters inspire more compassion for victims and families than those involving structural collapse situations. Media audiences also sympathize, however, with heroic rescue personnel who are faced with a tremendously complex, hazardous, and often frustrating task environment. Rescue activities in the aftermath of recent earthquakes and bombings indicate a tremendous need for greater access to denied areas within any crisis site involving collapsed structures. Recent developments in the remote inspection industry show great potential for employment of small robotic micro- rover systems in expanded roles for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). Similar progress in computer science research indicates an increasing role for simulation oriented modeling and intelligent decision support tools in USAR resource management procedures.This paper discusses key issues in the application of robotic systems to Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) activities and discusses ongoing development of a knowledge based system for efficient management of automated search assets.

Sharon, Ariel

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600608pmid: N/A

Avery, Dennis T.

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600609pmid: N/A

Here we present edited, condensed excerpts from a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Associa tion for the Advancement of Science in Baltimore, Mary land, on 10 February 1996, entitled

Waggoner, Paul E.; Ausubel, Jesse H.; Wernick, Iddo

doi: 10.1177/003754979606600610pmid: N/A

Herewith the conclusion of a paper prepared for the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Baltimore in February of this year.