Utilizing Remote Sensed Data in a Quick Response System

We propose to optimize the use of new computer power, observational data systems, and telecommunication capabilities to extract and utilize remote sensed data available from a variety of means. This optimization is crucial in the sense that extracted both meteorological and surface characteristics datasets will be crucial for the use in an emergency response system. We will combine real-time remote sensing systems, existing remote sensing databases, conventional weather observational databases, and GIS together to provide necessary high spatial and temporal data sets necessary for an emergency response system to mitigate against hazardous material releases into the atmosphere. In this article, we give an overall design and also discuss potential issues for developing such a system. The GIS system will be used to provide access to the geographic information, to support GIS-based computing, and to display the results. Remote sensing databases will be used to provide local area terrain and man-made configuration information such as building shapes. Real-time remote sensing mission is needed for updated information after a massive deconstructive event and for related data assimilation. The distributed online weather data information system will be used to retrieve current and predicted weather parameters. The weather information and the local area geographic information may then be used to feed the selected fast atmospheric transport and dispersion model. The information will be accessed through the Internet following a system-wide specific protocol or open protocols such as those specified by OGC. The system will invoke the model run and convert the model results into GIS compatible format for displaying and for further computation. The final results will be displayed by a GIS/WebGIS based interface, tailored to particular user/agencies.