Air Quality Modelling Tools

(Aberdeen Pilot Project)

Dr Alan Hills - Unit Manager – OceanMet

• Discuss the Influence of Data Analysis/Visualisation & Modelling on:

• Problem Solving

• Decision Making and Risk Assessment in SEPA

• Provide Examples of Data Analysis/Visualisation currently used in

Urban Air Quality work.

• Provide Examples of Data Analysis/Visualisation & Modelling tools

being developed by SEPA during a Pilot Project in Aberdeen City

including:

• Traffic Data

• Air Quality Data

• Air Modelling Output

• Present Conclusions and Outline Future Work

• Acknowledgements

Presentation Structure

• Key Points (Malcolm Sparrow Training)

• Define the problem to be solved.

• Gather all available data/information and analyse/visualise.

• Identify critical data and address uncertainty.

• Turn data into information.

• Key Points OceanMet Implementation

• Data and modelling offer complimentary perspectives on the

problem.

• Data and modelling can feed each other, further refining

problem analysis.

• Data and Modelling are uncertain and imperfect and this must

be managed.

• Modelling is good for looking at system behaviour.

• Important features in data not displayed in modelling.

Problem Solving

Data Analysis/Visualisation

Modelling

• Decision Support – Understand/Protect/Improve Environment

• Estimate Risks and Uncertainties – Explain to Non-Experts

• Modelling/Data Advice Services – Guidance Online

• Key Role in Assessing Third Party Modelling – Methods/Data

• Historical Emphasis on Point Sources and Emergency

Planning

• Aberdeen Pilot Project Undertaken to:

• Develop Urban Air Quality Modelling Capability

• Translate experience in other topics to Urban Air Quality

• Particularly Modelling and Data Analysis/Visualisation

Modelling & Data Vis./Analysis - SEPA

£ vs. Risk

Modelling & Data Vis./Analysis – Example Bremen

Modelling & Data Vis./Analysis – Example Bremen

Modelling & Data Vis./Analysis – Example Netherlands

SEPA ESIU Informatics Hub

(ESIU – Environmental & Spatial Informatics Unit)

TIBCO – Spotfire, S+ Also R

SEPA ESIU Informatics Hub

(Water Framework Directive Dashboard)

Web Based Interactive Data Analysis/Visualisation

Traffic Flow: Car Traffic Flow: Bus

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Traffic Count Data

(Interactive Analysis)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Traffic Flow Data

(Interactive Analysis)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Air Quality Data

(Interactive Analysis)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Air Quality & Met. Data

(Interactive Analysis)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Modelling Output

(Interactive Analysis)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Modelling Input/Output

(Interactive Analysis)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Modelling Input/Output

(Interactive Analysis)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Complex Modelling

(Computational Fluid Dynamics - CFD)

Aberdeen Pilot Project – Complex Modelling

(MISKAM)

• Interactive Data Analysis and Visualisation is now more efficient and

output is easier to share with new Software Packages.

• Data/Modelling may be more easily turned into Information and

shared with a large audience over the Web.

• Interactive Tools have the potential to yield new insights into data or

modelling output, promoting better understanding.

• Efficient comparison of modelling and data may allow better

management of uncertainty.

• Potential for interactive tools to allow Scenario Testing, prior to

detailed studies.

• Standardised Data Collection/Processing may make it easier to

compare different studies.

• Could this approach compliment or replace “static” reporting?

Conclusions

• Seek feedback on initial Prototypes and refine further.

• Generate additional Prototypes and populate with more developed

modelling.

• R&D on the statistical analysis of modelling output – Prof. Marian

Scott – Glasgow University.

• Examine Feasibility of “Unit Release” Scenario Testing Approach.

• Report on Pilot Aberdeen Pilot study and contribute to a

Data/Modelling Framework.

• Further Develop Complex Air Modelling Tools – CFD and MISKAM.

• Continue to work with Key Partners and Develop new Contacts

within the Community. Particularly on Emission Estimates.

Future Work

• Aberdeen City Council (Aileen Brodie), Transport Scotland (Drew

Hill), Glasgow City Council (Dominic Callaghan).

• SEPA Airmod Group (Alan McDonald, Andrew Malby, Eddy Barratt,

Fraser Gemmell)

• SEPA Colleagues (Colin Gillespie, Colin Gray, Mark Hallard, ESIU)

• Michael Glotz-Richter - Senior project manager 'sustainable

mobility‘ – Bremen City

• Scottish Urban Air Quality Steering Group

• AECOM, SiAS, IBI Group

• THANK YOU

Acknowledgements

Modelling & Data Vis./Analysis – Example Bremen