Critical Urban Data Network

URBANCANYONS® users have access a network of four types of critical information, including localized wind patterns, radiological information, on-site portable devices and information sharing. This information can be used as another tool in minimizing the loss of life or property in urban environments.

Localized Wind Patterns

Where did that cloud of hazardous material go? Will tear-gas be sucked into my building or injure people leaving the building? Why am I seeing smoke at my window, where did it come from and where is it going?
In order to get facts about these types of questions, Coastal has strategically placed weather stations on rooftops and light poles throughout the city.

• Radio-connected weather stations displayed on downtown map
• Information is real-time
• Access to regional forecasts and prevailing winds
• Stations have back-up power
• WEATHERPAK® portable stations appear instantly on the display when deployed by the Fire or Police Departments
• WEATHERPAK®s provide on-scene incident perspective
• Building contact information

Radiological Information

Measuring gamma radiation is a crucial part of the critical data network that makes URBANCANYONS® unique. There are five gamma radiation monitors positioned in the Seattle Central Business District. These monitoring sites serve three strategic purposes:

1. They measure the relative amount of background gamma radiation present.
2. They allow us to detect the presence of an unusual amount of gamma radiation.
3. They help us determine the movement of an unusual gamma presence. If a dirty bomb event were suspected in or around downtown, these sensors would allow us to identify that an event is underway and also quantify the safety perimeter over time.

Learn more>>

On-Site Portable Devices

Coastal Environmental Systems has the largest deployment of portable weather stations in the world. The City of Seattle uses WEATHERPAK® Portable Weather Stations when a hazardous materials incident occurs and they need to track how a release of materials will plume. These weather stations show up on the URBANCANYONS® map with a blue map symbol.

On-site portable devices provide additional information about an incident. Specifically, they tell you that the Seattle Fire Department has escalated the incident, and are concerned about a hazardous materials release.

Learn more>> about WEATHERPAK® Portable Weather Stations.