EMMA
Integrated Environmental Monitoring, Forecasting and Warning of Air Pollution in Urban Areas
M. Cecchi
Italtel Telesis, Head of Department: "European and International Projects", Telecom Italia,
Via delle Vergini 18, 00187 Roma, Italy. E-mail: mcecchi@tin.it
A project funded by DG XIII of the European Commission under the Telematics for Environment Program - Start:1/1/96; End: 30/6/98
WHY EMMA?
Air Quality Monitoring in urban areas is essential for ensuring human health. Efficient management, including 24-48 hour air pollution forecasts provides crucial information to policy makers and planners to make informed decisions on the day-to-day management, e.g. imposing traffic restrictions and informing the public with regard to critical health pollution levels.
WHAT IS EMMA?
The key features of EMMA include:
- Easy access to accurate, practical air quality information for decisionmakers in Local Environmental Administrations;
- Accessible and comprehensive air quality information for the general public;
- Accurate 24 hour (and in certain cases 48 hour) air quality forecasts;
- Capability to disseminate information to the general public through different user-friendly communication media such as: common EMMA WWW interface, kiosks, Variable Message Signs, and RDS/TMC messages;
- Support to the development of standard European air quality indicators;
- Improved quality control and assurance of air quality data;
Among the technologies employed by EMMA are Geographical Information Systems (GIS), multi-media archiving systems, advanced local area networks, and World Wide Web/Internet.
HOW IS THIS ACHIEVED?
The demonstrator, based in Genoa has focused on developing an integrated Air Quality System, that includes an emission database and prognostic dispersion models, with GIS-functionality using the existing monitoring system. In Stockholm, local partners there placed special emphasis on software enhancement for the remote sensing technique (SODAR) and on improved forecasting capabilities.
The major challenge for the Leicester-based partner has been to develop software interfaces between the air quality system and the traffic management system, and to demonstrate that the two systems work well together and can produce output reliable enough for immediate measures to be taken. The Madrid-based demonstrator has begun operating a complex, highly sophisticated non-hydrostatic meteorological forecasting model.
EMMA IN PRACTICE
Pollution and weather data are collected through highly automated telematic networks from all fixed and mobile monitoring stations available in metropolitan areas. With regard to air quality, ozone, SO2, NOX, O3, CO, benzene and toluene data is collected, while concerning the weather conditions, humidity, wind, temperature, turbulence, vertical meteorological conditions data is retrieved.
The data is collected and stored in integrated relational databases, and analysed and distributed according to EMMA architecture. Using graphical tools such as GIS, Internet, RDS/TMC, and Local Area Networks it is presented in a user-friendly way.
A special feature of the EMMA System is the high degree of integration, especially between environmental and meteorological phenomena.
Each of the four local demonstration sites (Madrid, Stockholm, Leicester and Genoa) have implemented their systems, configured to meet local climatic and environmental conditions, and the specific needs of local users.
The ability to forecast is fundamental. For all EMMA demonstration sites, 24 hour and 48 hour forecasting of the local weather is possible, leading to accurate simulations of 'what if' and 'in case' scenarios (for instance, for fog or temperature inversion conditions), and critical pollution situations (for instance, the presence of toxic cloud).
CHARACTERISTICS OF AIR QUALITY NETWORKS IN USE AT EMMA DEMONSTRATION SITES
| Demonstration Sites |
Fixed Air Quality Cabins |
Mobile Units |
Air Quality Networks |
Methodological Cabins |
Vertical Measurements |
Public Dissemination |
| STOCKHOLM (Royal Institute of Technology) |
21 |
- |
1 |
4 |
- |
3 Public Access Terminals |
| GENOA (Italtel - Telecom Italia) |
17 |
3 |
2 |
9 |
SODAR |
3 Public Access Terminals |
| MADRID (Sice) |
30 |
4 |
2 |
17 |
Fixed M sensors |
6 Public Access Terminals |
| LEICESTER (Leicestershire CC) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
RDS
WWW |
REC * PROGRAMS * TELEMATICS * DETERMINE
