STAR’s focus is to develop and deploy systems that analyze the state of the atmosphere, predict the path of toxic plumes, and provide that information to security personnel in order for them to take actions that will protect the building’s inhabitants. This type of system is especially complex as it continually combines data in real time from in-situ instrumentation, and several specialized meteorological models, ranging in scales from regional down to flows around individual buildings, providing officials with detailed information about local wind conditions. Sensors constantly monitor for any signs of a toxic release and can initiate a plume prediction, if required.
Reference journal article: http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/BAMS-88-2-167