Realistic Accurate Dosimulation

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The proposed effort aims to enhance the realism of radiation safety training for Emergency Responders both First Responders as well as Skilled Support Personnel Our goal is to develop and evaluate realistic dosimetry simulation or andquot Dosimulationandquot tools These andquot Realistic Accurate Dosimulationandquot RAD tools will be the centerpiece for an effective Emergency Responder radiation training curriculum Our Dosimulation concept employs a Real Time Location System RTLS integrated with realistic simulated dosimeters A sophisticated software algorithm generates a Virtual Radiation Environment VRE assigning a particular dose rate to every location within the training area Dosimulation merges the real time location of the trainee from the RTLS with the simulated dose rate from the VRE to yield a realistic radiation dose simulation The proposed Advanced Technology Training ATT provides a Virtual Reality simulation of any radiological emergency in a particular training environment In the proposed RAD effort we will implement a dynamic and time varying VRE to model the evolution of plumes and spills of interest to Emergency Responders In addition we will continue our Phase I work with Oak Ridge National Laboratory leaders in training Emergency Responders to select appropriate radiation instrumentation and scenarios to emulate The impact of the proposed RAD system if successful will be to transform emergency responder training with realistic and accurate andquot hands onandquot radiation simulations that will enable Emergency Responders to andquot practice like they play andquot The commercial potential is similarly compelling Q Track is already a leading vendor of radiation dosimetry simulation products for the nuclear power industry The substantial improvements in Dosimulation systems made possible by the proposed RAD effort would enable Q Track to serve the Emergency Responder training market as well PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Q Track proposes to improve the realism of radiation safety training for Emergency Responders both First Responders as well as Skilled Support Personnel by employing a Real Time Location System in conjunction with a time varying Virtual Radiation Environment to create a high fidelity Virtual Reality radiation simulation The proposed andquot Realistic Accurate Dosimulationandquot RAD research project has the potential to enhance radiation training and thus reduce Emergency Responder radiation exposure