Application of GIS for the Control of Major Accident Hazards

Abstract

The presentedstudy discussesthe importance of GIS in assessing the fire and explosion modellinginvolved in major accident hazards. The simulation of toxic dispersions in the atmosphere is especially dangerous fordensely inhabited areas, or close to the sensitive environment,which arecalled the target systems. Therefore, mathematical-physical predictions from hazard modellingprograms such as Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) have to be combined with a Geographic Information System (GIS) such as ArcGIS. This multidisciplinary approach allows expertsto couple the consequences and the target systems in one representation of major accident hazards. This unique combination of the two programs allows us to calculate the consequences to human life for a real accident scenario case study. Description of methodical approach and four accident scenarios are investigated based on ALOHAs models for carbon monoxiderelease combined with ArcGIS for Liberty Ostrava a.s. as a case study.