The newest frontier for CAPS to venture into is software development in the weather and disaster response areas.
These developments have focused on converting existing databases to produce information using the CARE system. This includes surveys of personal responses to snow, tornado and flood events. They extend to weather data from weather stations throughout the U.S. to compare various states and regions in terms of precipitation and temperature by month and establish relationships between radiation, precipitation, and temperature.
We are currently working on integrating severe weather polygons into MOVE so that officers will be aware of severe weather warnings in their patrol area in real-time.
In addition, we are conducting extensive research using virtual reality simulators to mimic severe weather situations. These simulators will be used in a therapeutic setting and as a tool in teaching proper preparation for severe weather situations.