May 2011
Halcrow has released ISIS FAST, the groundbreaking latest addition to the ISIS suite of products.
ISIS FAST is a new and innovative rapid inundation model which allows quick assessment of flooding using simplified hydraulics. It provides results up to 1,000 times faster than conventional 2D hydrodynamic floodplain models.
ISIS FAST has been developed to be fully compatible with both ISIS Professional (1D) and ISIS 2D, allowing the user to switch easily between the new FAST and the conventional hydrodynamic solvers. The modeller can rapidly develop and test their models and make informed decisions on the appropriate choice of solution given run time and accuracy constraints.
The software has already been used on projects throughout the world for numerous organisations including the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Halcrow successfully used ISIS FAST on the Fingal-East Meath Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study. A case study discussing how the software was used can be viewed here. (PDF 119KB)
Halcrow has undertaken simulations to compare ISIS FAST with TUFLOW, ISIS Professional (1D) and ISIS 2D and has run a number of the Environment Agency's 2D benchmarking studies with ISIS FAST – demonstrating positive results for ISIS FAST.
Just a few of the benefits of ISIS FAST:
- Rapid screening for many different types of flooding
- Pluvial flood mapping and risk assessments at local, regional, and national scales
- Real time flood mapping potential when linked to forecast rainfall
- Significantly reduces the costs of modelling
- Suitable for use within probabilistic analysis frameworks
The software is already gaining widespread recognition, including Kashif Shaad’s ISIS FAST paper winning young person’s paper at a competition held by the UK branch of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR).
Click here to watch the ISIS Fast video.
In addition, Halcrow has also released ISIS v3.5. The latest versions of ISIS Professional, ISIS 2D and ISIS Mapper include various new features and improvements which have again been developed in response to user and market needs.
Organisations wishing to trial the latest release can download it free from www.isisuser.com. This free version provides the same features as ISIS Professional and ISIS 2D but is limited to 250 1D nodes and 2,500 2D cells. ISIS and can be used for both academic and commercial purposes.
New features and improvements include:
- Significant enhancements to the refreshed ISIS Mapper interface, including shapefile editor and 3D model view
- Multi-processor batch scheduler, to enable scheduling of multiple simulations simultaneously, taking advantage of multi-core machine functionality
- Model file comparison tool, for quick and easy identification of model differences
- Model summary report, for modellers, reviewers and clients to quickly identify key features of an ISIS model
- Enhanced ISIS-TUFLOW pipe linking to include TUFLOW one-dimensional networks (ISIS-ESTRY link)
- More model unit types allowed in "event data" files, giving the modeller increased flexibility in modelling different options and scenarios
- ISIS 2D productivity enhancements
- New probabilistic modelling tools
For additional information on the ISIS suite or to purchase any of our software products, contact Vijay Jain or Alastair Sheppard at isis@halcrow.com or on 0845 094 7990. Alternatively visit www.halcrow.com/isis.