Simulation
Solutions Proposal 4024
Security in the Age of Speed
Brad Jensen , Lt Col , USAF , bradford.jensen@andersen.af.mil
Membership: iie Speaker status: only speaker Past presenter: no Presentation preference: 45 min Alternate option: yes Presentation level: intermediate Suggested track: Transportation and Military Applications Simulation languages: Process Model//Workstudy+ Live demo: yes User type: Internal Model Developer Other conferences: yes 2001 IIE Annual Conference
Session
Description
This
presentation outlines the study of a high security vehicle checkpoint
at the main gate of a U.S. Air Force Base several days after the
terrorists’ bombings. A simple simulation model of the inspection
process greatly aided the security officer in finding ways to streamline
the process without compromising security. This presentation will
outline the methods of data collection using WorkStudy+ by Quetech
Ltd. and data analysis using flow chart simulation with software
by Process Model Inc. The author will also discuss his unique approach
to producing a “rapid study” where the information is time critical.
Abstract
Immediately
after the Trade Center bombings in New York, military installations
and transportation systems implemented stringent security procedures
reserved only for the highest state of alert. Hastily thrown-together
inspection procedures created congestion at entry points that, in
many cases, brought business to a standstill. This is the study
of a high security checkpoint to a U.S. military installation in
the immediate aftermath of the bombings. The initial study was an
emergency response to provide immediate traffic relief. The benefits
were significant. A more thorough analysis of data provided a long-term
design that not only increase traffic flow but contributed to the
effectiveness of inspections. This report outlines the methods of
data collection and analysis, as well as an explanation of the author’s
“rapid study” philosophy. Arrival and Service data was collected
over a two-day period, focusing on the most congested period of
the morning rush. Service times were measured as a single process,
due to the demand for urgency. Two containment areas serviced one
queue and a gatekeeper directed traffic to the two areas. Each containment
area used the batch method to inspect several vehicles simultaneously.
A flow diagram simulation was used to analyze the data. A standard
distribution was used for the service time and actual arrival times
were used to simulate the traffic inflow. Graphs were produced showing
the pattern of waiting time throughout the morning and probabilities
of waiting. The graphs gave the security officer and the commander
a good idea of the significance of the problem. A simulation of
different service rates demonstrated the relative effect of the
change on waiting time. This helped leadership pick a target for
service time reduction. The initial report made three immediate
recommendations: The first proposal was to eliminate the gatekeeper
or at least shift his function to the supervising guard in each
channel. There were severe delays in getting vehicles to the channels
because of a communication lag between the gate Keeper and the guards
in the channel. The second problem involved a glitch in the batching
process. Often the gatekeeper would send an extra vehicle to the
channel. Instead of holding the extra vehicles until the next batch,
the guards would allow the extra vehicle to enter the containment
area. This often doubled the service time because one guard would
have to inspect two vehicles before the batch was released. The
recommended fix was to enforce a more disciplined control on the
batch size by training and establishing the responsibility with
the supervisor in the containment area. The third and most obvious
recommendation was to spread out arrival times by staggering work
hours. The security officer implemented some of the suggestions
the following day and immediately reduced waiting times. Subsequent
analysis developed alternate possibilities for future use including
a plan to replace batching with multiple channels in one of the
containment areas. The key to an emergency response study is simplicity
and speed. Sometimes it is better to have good information today
than great information tomorrow.
Detailed
Biography
Bradford
W. Jensen is Commander of the Plans and Operations Flight, 36th
Air Base Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He provides commanders
with operations expertise to support deployed aircrews in the Pacific
theatre of operations. His military positions include: Navigator,
Aircrew Evaluator, Tactics Planner, ROTC Instructor, and Manpower
and Quality Officer. He has flown over 2,700 hours as a crewmember
on the B-52. He was the chief tactics planner of the longest combat
mission in history, a cruise missile attack on Iraq during the first
hours of Operation Desert Storm. As Chief of Manpower and Quality
his team received Air Combat Command’s MANAGEMENT EXECELLEMCE AWARD
two consecutive years. They also received the Air Force Association’s
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for management innovation. He has
been associated with IIE for five years. In November 2000, IIE Solutions
published his simulation study titled “Refining Refueling at Andersen
AFB.” At the 2001 IIE Annual Conference, he presented a workshop
titled “Innovation From the Workplace.” He received a B.A. degree
in International Relations from Brigham Young University in 1980
and an MBA from Louisiana Tech University in 1990.
Introductory
Biography
Brad
Jensen is an officer serving on active duty in the United States
Air Force. He is currently stationed at Andersen Air Force Base
located on the island of Guam in the South Pacific.
The
above text was reproduced
with the permission of the presenter.
