HC Deb 22 July 1996 vol 282 c14W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken by(a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority into the development of a computer model to simulate real aircraft accident conditions. [38553]

Mr. Norris

The Civil Aviation Authority has carried out extensive work in the development of computer models to simulate passenger evacuation in emergencies. To be of use, such models must predict real life with an acceptable level of accuracy. The CAA is currently collecting data from all possible sources to compare the predictions of computer models with actual outcomes. When this work is completed, the potential value of computer models will become clearer.