Fast and accurate prediction of windborne contaminant plumes for civil defense in cities

Abstract : An instantaneous crisis management system called CT-Analyst(tm), based on detailed urban aerodynamics computations using Large Eddy Simulation (LES), has been developed tested, and deployed to evaluate windborne Contaminant Transport (CT) threats and to aid in time-critical civil defense decisions in cities where current transport and dispersion methods are too slow and inaccurate. Designed for the military prior to 9/11, CT-Analyst can incorporate verbal reports, handle input from fixed and mobile sensors, and functions in realistic emergencies where the nature, amount, and location of an airborne contaminant source or Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBR) agent is unknown and where the wind fields are dynamic and complicated by the city geometry. CT-Analyst is well suited to urban and site defense in the homeland Security context.