TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION METHODOLOGIES FOR URBAN DISPERSION MODELS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO USERS NEEDS REQUIREMENTS

摘要

There is a strong interest from several civil and military agencies in the U.S. and in Europe to improve existing model evaluation methodologies. This interest focuses mainly on model acceptance criteria, summaries of users needs, and preparation of data bases and software for use in model evaluation. In this paper we will discuss recent results obtained from a two-part study where we 1) test and develop comprehensive evaluation methodologies for urban dispersion models, and 2) investigate requirements of users needs for atmospheric transport tools For the urban model evaluation component of the project, we have been acquiring models and field data sets for urban transport and dispersion. Also, a simple screening dispersion model has been developed and compared with the Salt Lake City tracer data. The second part of this research assesses the needs of users of atmospheric transport and dispersion models for chemical or biological (CB) agent releases during an accidental release or a terrorist attack. During the course of this project a questionnaire was prepared and sent to atmospheric dispersion modelers to collect information for the final user needs assessment.