Title: A decision support system for air quality management combining GIS and optimisation techniques

Authors: K. Fedra, A. Haurie

Addresses: Environmental Software & Services GmbH, Advanced Computer Applications, PO Box 100, A-2352 Gumpoldskirchen, Austria. Management Studies (SES-HEC), University of Geneva, 102 Carl Vogt, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland

Abstract: This paper describes a multi-tiered approach to the design of plans and policies for urban environmental management, in particular air quality, as related to the energy and transportation sectors. The approach is based on the iterative combination of sectoral and global optimisation models, including a discrete multi-criteria approach, and spatially distributed air quality models. The approach combines dynamic emission/immission modelling, traffic equilibrium modelling that estimates the traffic loads and therefore the emissions on each street segment, activity analysis models proposing efficient energy/technology choices and as a consequence emissions, and multi-criteria analysis of air pollution impacts, in particular the effects on public health. The software framework that implements this approach integrates observation data management, a geographic information system (GIS), and a set of simulation and optimisation models. It is developed within the EUREKA Project EU1388 (AIDAIR)

Keywords: air quality management; decision support; geographic information system; optimisation model; simulation model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1999.002288

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1999 Vol.12 No.2/3, pp.125-146

Published online: 13 Aug 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article