We integrate our technical experts with our team of experienced developers to develop software applications and integrated solutions that include complex network and risk modeling, decision support, workflow, data management, and visualization.
- GIS Network Dataset Development
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- For Class I railroads, VRT has developed, and continues to enhance, rail carrier-specific routable GIS networks to support risk analysis and regulatory-based data needs. Geometric editing to ensure topological integrity, programmatic determination of operationally feasible movements, development and implementation of risk analysis parameters, and customization of the risk analysis model to utilize carrier-specific data are some of the key activities performed in support of our client.
- Railway Risk and Incident Management System
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- VRT provided software design, development, and consulting services for a Class 1 railroad to evaluate their corporate risk assessment and incident management practices for the shipment of hazardous materials. The project scope included the entire rail network and all fixed facilities. VRT software design incorporated screening-level risk assessment models for identifying high-risk locations as well as incident management tools that the railroad utilizes to improve emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. Multiple phases of this effort have been completed and refinements of the software model are ongoing with VRT continuing development and expansion of the system.
- Custom Emergency Operations GIS
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- VRT developed a custom GIS application to manage the radiological emergency process for a nuclear power plant operator, the four surrounding county emergency managers, and a state emergency management agency. The custom workflows based on radiological dose plumes and emergency response planning area protective action recommendations developed by VRT significantly improved the power plant's emergency operations planning process. Evacuation travel time estimates were developed using detailed traffic density modeling and were incorporated into a custom GIS software solution that allows managers to visualize and mange a situation as it evolves.
- Plume Model Visualization System Development
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- For a nuclear power plant operator, VRT worked alongside ABS Consulting (developers of the MIDAS™ commercial atmospheric plume dispersion modeling tool), to build a GIS situational awareness tool for managing and visualizing radiological dose plume data. The work included developing the specification for plume export parameters as well as architecting the system, file sharing, and secure transfer of event data.
- Logistics Technology Support
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- For the United States Coast Guard, Surface Forces Logistics Center, VRT designed and developed database-driven application that provides management of Reliability Centered Maintenance information. Key activities included building the web application, developing an integrated data environment, data management, and developing and implementing a process workflow support application. The integrated data environment (IDE) provides the USCG with the ability to accurately track a variety of important process metrics and significantly reduced the opportunity for error and time lag. The VRT system is securely accessed and in daily use by USCG personnel from both inside and outside the USCG internal network.
- Risk Mapping and Visualization of Marine Security Risk
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- VRT is developing risk mapping tools and support integration of United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model (MSRAM) into the USCG Enterprise Geographic Information System (EGIS). Much of this work involves designing and developing add-ins for the USCG EGIS system, creating data export routines in the MSRAM application, developing geo-processing services on the existing USCG infrastructure, and designing and implementing robust search capabilities and a more sophisticated user interface for exploring query results. Individual targets and specific attack modes/scenarios are each visualized based on risk scores. Work also includes planning and design work needed to move MSRAM from a stand-alone desktop application into a web-based application embedded into the USCG enterprise environment.
- VRiskROUTE™
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- VRiskROUTE™ is a multi-modal hazardous materials decision support tool that enables users to assess route risk, benchmark their transportation risk portfolio, identify high-risk activities and movements, evaluate risk reduction strategies, and meet regulatory route analysis requirements. VRiskRoute is built on a customized geographic information system that provides powerful visualization capabilities, allowing users to easily compare alternatives, provide model inputs, and explore critical relationships between economic, safety, and security factors.
- MitigationPlan.com™
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- MitigationPlan.com™ is a web service for emergency and mitigation planners that produces uniform, comprehensive mitigation plans for hierarchical integration. Emergency planners employ the service to collect, display, and share information about potential hazards, past events, and current/future mitigation projects.
- State Hazmat Route Restriction Development
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- The California Highway Patrol retained VRT to assist with the designation of statewide transport routes for shipping poisonous-by-inhalation materials. VRT’s activities included program design, information dissemination to key stakeholders, technical review of CHP routing studies and policies, and development and application of risk assessment software. The program now covers routing of explosives and radioactive wastes, in addition to PIH materials. Integration of system capabilities to meet information needs at state emergency operation centers was also developed. VRT staff developed GIS routing and risk management methodologies to determine safe transport routes throughout the State with specific emphasis on tunnels. This approach was subsequently used statewide to evaluate each highway tunnel. VRT has proven, resident organizational knowledge of the process and challenges that states confront when attempting to develop routing restrictions. This key project experience enables VRT to design comprehensive systems to support regulatory requirements for route analysis.
- Rail Corridor Risk Management System
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- In response to the freight rail industry’s need for a tool to perform safety and security route risk analyses for security-sensitive chemicals, VRT and its partner ABS Consulting developed the RCRMS. The tool has grown to nationwide use to meet the federal regulatory requirements of HM-232E: Enhancing Rail Transportation Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials Shipments. VRT architected the freight rail industry's technical solution, including web and desktop applications, and completed data integration and enhancement, training, and outreach to the system users. RCRMS allows Rail Operators, as part of their route analysis (including assessment of route alternatives), to consider 27 required criteria, including network infrastructure characteristics, railroad operating characteristics, human factors, and environmental and terrorist-related parameters. The software provides a mechanism for the Rail Operators to maintain their route analyses and document their findings and results for FRA review. VRT also helps to facilitate a group of 30 railroad executives and employees to identify and address industry, system, and user issues. This effort is ongoing and the RCRMS has been adopted by the US DOT as a “key enabling technology for the industry in accomplishing the objectives of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.”
- Delaware Electronic Reporting Surveillance System (DERSS)
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- VRT was an integral part of a large system integration effort for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to develop and implement state-wide disease surveillance and reporting system, aimed specifically at bioterrorism and disease outbreaks. With the system in place, public health officials in Delaware and at the national level are able to relay and search health information in real time to analyze trends in symptom and disease reporting. DERSS provides an early warning capability, allowing State professionals to analyze data streaming from hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare points of contact. VRT provided GIS expertise and integrated automatic, map-based alerting services for telephone voice messaging, fax transmission, and wireless communication; geocoded data. This custom mapping application is available through a web browser for fast collaboration among health professionals located throughout the state and the country.
- Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V)
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- With our partners BayFirst Solutions, VRT performed software IV&V for FEMA’s HAZUS-MH application, which implements their methodology for estimating potential losses from disasters (earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes). VRT performed installation, functional and acceptance testing, and provided software development life cycle guidance. A detailed analysis of documentation and Section 508-compliance testing was also performed for over 240 application dialogs resident in the software tool.