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Disaster/Anti-Terrorism Simulations

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2002 3:25 pm
by "Carl N. Edwards"
In the wake of 9/11, considerable interest has been generated in
the use of computer simulations to train and test disaster responders.
Today I was present at a demonstration of TUTOR; a simulation product
originally developed in the UK by BCD modeling and now being marketed
out of Cambridge, MA, with US partners, as a military simulation adapted
to anti-terrorist applications.
The system runs on a dedicated (HP) server, under Windows NT,
and can have multiple user workstations; each controlling one or more
players in the simulation. Development of a simulation is priced in the
mid-six-figures (US dollars); and once developed "facilitators" can run
multiple scenarios, recording the outcomes for de-briefing purposes.
TUTOR offers both an overhead "map" presentation and "virtual reality"
displays that show events from the perspective of each participant.
Having been involved with the US computer-based simulation
section during its past 40+ year life, I am familiar with many
simulation and systems dynamics modeling and simulation engines, but not
with TUTOR. Does anyone have experience with this system, and if so can
you compare it with other alternatives now available or being developed
around other simulation engines?
Thanks.
Carl

Carl N. Edwards, J.D., Ph.D.
Four Oaks P.O. Box 279
2 Spring Lane
Dover, MA 02030
E-mail: cedwards@fouroaksinstitute.com