The focus of the project RetoMod, conducted by the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG), Synex GmbH, the fire brigade of Vienna and OMV, was air transport modeling of accidental gas releases in urban areas. Meteorological model input derived from the INCA system developed at ZAMG is validated for this purpose in comparison to meteorological measurements at two near-traffic sites in Vienna. After a detailed review of toxic gas dispersion models, five software packages were tested concerning the utility for the fire brigades. The results of the project were presented to the stakeholders at a final workshop. In a mobile emergency operation, simple and fast models with a detailed chemical database are most suitable.  In the case of an accidental release at a chemical facility, a complex model system including flow simulations (buildings, complex terrain) and source term estimation is recommended.

Project leader:
Dr. Kathrin Baumann-Stanzer / Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik

Other Project- or Cooperation partner:
DI Dr. Manfred Hirnschall / Magistrat der Stadt Wien, Magistratsabteilung 68, Feuerwehr und Katastrophenschutz, Wien
DI Gerhard Greßlehner / "Synex" Ries & Greßlehner GmbH
Dr. Silke Haupt-Herting / OMV Refining & Marketing GmbH, Wien

Contact:
Dr. Kathrin Baumann-Stanzer
Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik, Abteilung für Umweltmeteorologie
Hohe Warte 38
1190 Wien
Tel: +43 (0)1 36026 2405
Fax: +43 (0)1 36026 74
Email: k.baumann-stanzer@zamg.ac.at
Homepage: http://www.zamg.ac.at