US Secret Service Virtualizes Tiny Town

An anonymous reader writes "For the past 40 years, a miniature model environment called 'Tiny Town' has been one of the methods used to teach Secret Service agents and officers how to prepare a site security plan. The model includes different sites — an airport, outdoor stadium, urban rally site and a hotel interior — and uses scaled models of buildings, cars and security assets. With help from the Department of Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate, the Secret Service is giving training scenarios a high-tech edge: moving from static tabletop models to virtual kiosks with gaming technology and 3D modeling."

Comments

Fixing what ain't broke and learning styles

[NevarMore]

The old system wasn't broken why update it? Are their systems in the field digital or is it maps and tabletops and pencils?

It also seems that this would change the learning styles for the agents. Having physical tabletop models is going to engage your eyes and your senses differently than the computer will. You're going to interact with your peers differently too. If it matches whats in the field it is better/

Re:Fixing what ain't broke and learning styles

[Lumpy]

Because it's not real. YOu dont enter a situation with a 50,000 foot view and the hand of god.

Honestly, when they point at the other side of the town and say, "the terrorists are over here copying DVD's" any fool can plot a plan of action with a 50,000 foot view of the whole town.

Having NO view of the town other than what you can pull up on your resources that are offline and plan from a non-live 2D view of a reasource is far more difficult and matches reality far better.

Put them in a situation where it is far more realistic than standing over a war model.

haven't we learned

[kaizokuace]

Haven't we learned that table-top is better than a computer version via extensive D&D research?