Development of a Decision Support Tool for Technological Risk Management with Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract

In this study, a GIS based decision support tool is proposed for the support of technological risk management by integrating moderate and high spatial resolution satellite imagery with in-situ vector data. The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on board the NOAA satellites has been used for the detection of fire as well as for the detection and monitoring of plumes caused by major technological accidents. The Thematic Mapper (TM) on board the Landsat satellite has been used for the depiction of the urban areas and the main road network as well as for the estimation of the spatial distribution of vegetation in the study area. A major technological accident scenario was developed for the broader area of Athens (Greece) in order to present the functionality of the GIS tool for the support of decision making during the crisis, as well as for the assessment of the accident’s impact on the natural and human environment.