Software evaluates risk associated with any mode of transport |
The National Security Technology Center, also known as the NSTC, whips together far-out ideas and cutting-edge technology and blends them into Bond-like safety and security devices for the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement and the armed services. These hardware and software products—from a ball that shrieks to disperse rowdy crowds to a lapel pin-sized infrared tactical sensor that signals soldiers of imminent danger to software systems that track improvised explosive devices and civilian evacuees after disasters—aren’t toys of the future; they’re being designed and produced today. These innovative products are designed, developed, and marketed by the NSTC think tank, which continually seeks partnerships and businesses to license its unique developments.
NSTC, part of Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., was established in 2005 and tasked with dreaming up and building and testing almost anything to produce tomorrow’s generation of safety and security devices today. Y-12 spent its first 60 years safeguarding nuclear assets, so it wasn’t hard to find the talent to create the center. NSTC leverages the collective expertise within Y-12 and taps into Y-12’s know-how and manufacturing capabilities to develop innovative security technologies with wide-ranging applications.
NSTC is showcasing four new systems currently being developed: Convergence Engine, IR3AM, EVAC Sim, and CAVEAT.
Convergence Engine analyzes the locations of improvised explosive device (IED) detonations and determines a probability of detonation at new locations. This software tool then can be used to evaluate expected travel routes, activity location or other events where IED explosions are of concern. How does it work? The software acts like a senior master sergeant who has experienced IEDs in the field. He relays locations of recent detonations, paths to take to avoid regions of frequent IED detonations, and the signs to observe to detect potential IEDs.
The Integrated Route, Risk, Resource, Analysis and Allocation Model (IR3AM) evaluates risk associated with any mode of transport—air, rail, passenger car, truck, public transit, etc.—for passengers or cargo. It assesses routes to reduce risks to potential targets from adversarial intervention along the way.
How does it work? IR3AM might be used to assign air marshals to commercial flights. Having a marshal on board reduces the risk to potential targets along the route, but usually there aren’t enough marshals at a given location to cover every flight. So, IR3AM uses a supply-chain simulator to evaluate the risk associated with each flight and then to allocate the finite number of air marshals to the highest-risk flights. As vulnerabilities change, this high-tech decision-support and probability-based analysis tool is easily updated.
Emergency Validation and Communication Simulator (EVAC Sim) is a comprehensive 3-D, discrete-event software system that simulates the reaction of civilian evacuees and government responders following disasters or threats. It allows a dispatcher to coordinate an emergency response team and is coupled with an operator interface to allow trained users to directly control simulated responders. Citizens’ reactions can be programmed (choreographed) directly, stochastically determined, event driven, or driven by combined random/deterministic methods. EVAC Sim is used to assess and allocate the limited resources available to respond to disasters, to plan evacuation routes and scenarios, and to train responders and emergency planners. When would EVAC be used? It might be used following the release of a hazardous material in a large metropolitan region. Because the EVAC code is designed to execute rapidly, during a real event, the local emergency management office could use EVAC Sim to direct citizens near the release to shelter in place, while directing other citizens to evacuate. Disaster-relief directors could use the software system to direct emergency responders. The director could interact with the simulated responders, observe the outcome, and modify direction to field personnel to improve the actual response.
Contaminated Area/Volume Estimation Assessment Tool (CAVEAT) is a specialized piece of software that evaluates waste stream profiles following decontamination efforts in areas that have been contaminated from detonation of a radiological dispersion device (RDD). How does CAVEAT work? Cleanup after the detonation of an RDD involves coordination of many agencies and hundreds of resources.
Particular decontamination strategies will generate waste, not only from the contaminated materials removed (e.g., soil, building materials, etc.), but also from the by-products of the decontamination efforts. CAVEAT could help the clean-up team plan for the disposition of the waste stream profiles, providing contaminated volume/mass as a function of material and time.
For more information about NSTC and its research and development capabilities or to learn about partnering with Y-12, visit the web at: http://www.y12.doe.gov/missions/complementarywork/nstc/
Vicki Hinkel is a technical writer in the Public Affairs and Communications Department at Y-12 National Security Complex. |
