Title: The use of an operational model evaluation system for model intercomparison

Authors: K.T. Foster, G. Sugiyama, J.S. Nasstrom, J. M. Leone Jr., S.T. Chan, B.M. Bowen

Addresses: Atmospheric Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA. Atmospheric Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA. Atmospheric Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA. Atmospheric Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA. Atmospheric Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA. Atmospheric Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA

Abstract: This paper describes a prototype model evaluation system for the study of the capabilities and performance of operational atmospheric transport and dispersion models. This system provides tools both for objective statistical analysis using common performance measures and for more subjective visualisation of the temporal and spatial relationships of model results relative to field measurements. Supporting this system is a database of processed field experiment data (source terms and meteorological and tracer measurements) from over 100 individual tracer releases. The use of this system is illustrated using results from models that are used operationally by the Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC) emergency response system, as well as new models currently being developed.

Keywords: complex dispersion models; model evaluation; statistical validation; tracer datasets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2000.000528

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2000 Vol.14 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.77-88

Published online: 18 Jul 2003 *

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