Users Guide - the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center

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Real Time Evacuation Planning Model (RtePM)A Decision Support Tool for Emergency Managers and First RespondersBackgroundReal Time Evacuation Planning Model (RtePM – pronounced “route-PM”) was developed in response tothe emergency management community’s desire to have an easy-to-use tool that quickly estimates thetime required to evacuate an area in the event of natural or man-made disasters such as hurricanes,wildfires, and terrorists incidents (e.g. a “dirty bomb”). The main purpose is to enable emergencymanagers the opportunity to gain insight form testing various evacuation scenarios thus enablinginformed decision making and improved information sharing between federal, state, local, and tribal firstresponders and all levels of government.RtePM accepts external data such as:TransportationInfrastructureDemographicRtePM uses a color-coded map interface and is designed to:collect, process and store traffic network and behavior model parametersaccept and verify parameters specified to generate traffic flow and clearance timesgenerate traffic flow information and clearance timesmaintain a repository of public and private evacuation scenariosinject static data and pre-set traffic conditions.Hardware/Software OverviewRtePM runs in a PC environment. The end user application is accessible via any web browser (e.g.Internet Explorer TM , Firefox TM , Safari TM and Chrome TM ) with Flash TM plug-in version 10.0 or higherinstalled. No additional installation steps are required.The Real Time Evacuation Planning Model (RtePM) was initially developed by John Hopkins UniversityApplied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL) as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Virtual USA (vUSA) initiative. The vUSA initiativeresulted from collaborations between the Department of Homeland Security, the emergency responsecommunity and eight states across the nation.Under the guidance and direction of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM),VMASC expanded on the initial work a dynamic mode using randomness (“probabilistic”) to enhancesituation awareness, capability and flexibility. Additional features have been added. Independentverification and validation testing has been completed and identified short comings.Point of Contact (POC)The email address rtepm@odu.edu reaches a common email mailbox at VMASC. Email received at thisaddress will be routed internally to the appropriate POC for information or action as indicated.Accessing RtePMTo access the RtePM tool, type into the address bar of your web browser, the URLhttp://rtepm.vmasc.odu.edu/RTEPM/ and press enter. Once the program has loaded completely, youshould see an image of the U.S. map with the pop-up overlay shown in Figure 1.1
Real Time Evacuation Planning Model (RtePM)A Decision Support Tool for Emergency Managers and First RespondersFigure 1 -- Accessing RTEPMThe overlay shown here is a “Notice” informing users of the software’s purpose and limitations. Youmust read and then click the upper left box of the notice to acknowledge your understanding of the tool’spurpose and limitations. Once you have checked the box, the login buttons will be activated. You cannow login as a registered user or guest user.RtePM Main ToolbarThere are twelve toolbar options currently displayed at the top of the Evacuation Planning window(Figure 2). A brief description also appears as you move your cursor over each of these icons.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 121. Bookmarks – opens a window of stored profiles2. Find an Address – allows user to search for an address3. Earthquakes (GeoRSS) – enables access to real time feeds on earthquake data from around the world4. Draw and Measure – allow user to annotate text and shapes directly on the map5. Print – lets user print map image6. Evacuation Planning (RtePM) – opens the evacuation planning window7. MapQuest Traffic – shows real-time traffic alerts and road conditions8. RtePM Resources – Links to current RtePM documents, resources and contact information9. ALOHA (Area Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres – allows user to draw point of origin forhazardous materials incidents10. HotSpot Health Physics Code – allows user to draw point of origin for radioactive material incident11. KML Layer – allows for the loading and display of kml overlays on the map12. Shapefiles – allows for the loading and display of shapefile overlays on the mapFigure 2 -- RTEPM Menu Options2
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Users Guide - the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center

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