Optimizing improvement in spill response models to meet the needs of the on-scene command

Instead of considering spill model advancement undertaken mostly because of its interest to the spill research community, the authors consider possible model improvements based directly on the need of the response command staff. The paper examines in detail four possible, but not exclusive or comprehensive, topic areas where such improvements seem possible; (1) source estimation, (2) surface transport, (3) spilled oil fate and behavior, and (4) cleanup impact. A subjective appraisal of the value of improvement for a specific topic is provided, plus a list of potential research and/or model improvements for that topic. The effort of the described improvements is further categorized by the expected degree of difficulty involved for a specific improvement.