Abstract

A Search Tool for Allocating Resources for Radiological Emergency Response
Track: Homeland Security
Authors: Ben Sher

When intelligence reveals an unprotected radiological source, the US Department of Energy's Search Response Team requires a search mission plan to be developed immediately. A search mission requires detailed coverage of nearby drivable areas, buildings, and walk able spaces. Drivable areas are searched using mobile radiation detection systems and buildings and walk able spaces are searched using backpack/handheld devices. All equipment has different search radii and must be operated at different driving or walking speeds. Prior methods for search mission planning did not provide estimated times of completion. This talk presents the Search Tool for Allocating Resources (STAR) which combines ArcGIS GeoProcessing and a critical infrastructure database to calculate time estimates for search missions. STAR calculates the time and driving distance for covering the search area, the infrastructure database to remove layers that are unsearchable (e.g. water), and LIDAR data to estimate building search times.

Ben Sher
National Security Technologies
P.O Box 98521, M/S 89191
Las Vegas, Nevada 89193
United States
Phone: 702-295-8931
E-mail: sherbs@nv.doe.gov