DSNS Offers Free Modeling and Simulation Services to Project Areas

As part of its technical assistance role, the CDC’s Division of Strategic National Stockpile (DSNS) is offering its project areas free model design and event simulation services to enhance public health preparedness. Modeling and simulation tools, in conjunction with live exercises, provide a cost effective way to better understand available SNS resources and perform systematic data collection and analysis. The computer simulation approach, as seen in the three applications below, is one of the most powerful engineering analysis tools for designing and controlling the performance of processes and operations in systems.


Examples of Available Software Tools

Arena is a discrete-event simulation language that DSNS uses to simulate supply-chain dynamics and distribution of medical countermeasures. This application can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of anything that moves and incorporates industry-leading graphical and animation features, making the simulation more realistic.
An example of a successful application of Arena to solve client problems includes simulating traditional and drive-through points of dispensing (PODs) to identify bottleneck stations, redesign client flow, optimize staffing needs and increase POD throughput. Arena also can be customized and integrated with popular applications like spreadsheets, databases and Visual Basic for Applications.

MATLAB is a high-level, technical computing language and interactive environment for algorithm development, data analysis and visualization, and numeric computation. With public health concerns, MATLAB is widely used to build mathematical and simulation models for predicting and controlling the spread of epidemics like novel H1N1 influenza virus. Some of MATLAB’s most relevant toolboxes include:
• Statistics Toolbox provides tools for assessing, understanding and visualizing data.
• Optimization Toolbox includes the implementation of operations research functions.
• Database Toolbox allows the user to query and exchange data between MATLAB and databases.
• Report Generator automatically documents performed tasks and captures graphics.
• MATLAB Builder allows for distributing and deploying applications and algorithms as Excel spreadsheet add-ins for states and local public health agencies.

TransCAD, a decision support system for transportation data management and analysis, allows users to store, retrieve, analyze and visualize all types of transportation and related geographic and demographic data. This application combines digital mapping, geographic database management, geographic information system and presentation graphics with tools to apply sophisticated transportation, operations research and statistical and econometric models.
By using the TransCAD application, project areas can experience realistic route and network representations, including delays and restrictions for turn movements at intersections. As such, in a New Orleans flood-like disaster, road closings can easily be represented and flexible plans developed around the transportation networks – road, rail and waterway – that are still viable.


How to Apply for Consultation Services

These simulation and modeling applications are powerful, yet difficult to learn or master. To alleviate any concerns over project area staff or resources, DSNS is providing free consultation to define and formulate custom simulation projects. Clients are encouraged to engage modeling and simulation services during planning stages of exercises so the modeling team can offer advice and test designs ahead of deployment and implementation.

For more information on accessing DSNS simulation consulting services, please contact Kas Salawu at ksalawu@cdc.gov or 404-639-0827.