Title: Methodology for a comparative evaluation of two air-quality models

Authors: R.F. Lee, J.S. Irwin

Addresses: Atmospheric Sciences Modeling Division, Air Resources Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. ' Atmospheric Sciences Modeling Division, Air Resources Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA

Abstract: This paper presents a methodology for conducting an objective comparative evaluation of two air-quality models using several datasets. This methodology is designed to be simple to implement and understand, to reliably discern improvement in performance, and to accommodate the use of datasets from a variety of field studies of varying quality. The reliability of the comparison is enhanced by the segregation of the data into stability and distance regimes. The application of the methodology to compare two air-quality models, using four datasets, demonstrates its use as a practical means for comparing model performance.

Keywords: air quality models; model comparison; model evaluation; model performance; atmospheric dispersion models; environmental impact assessment; air pollution; environmental pollution; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1995.028419

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1995 Vol.5 No.4/5/6, pp.723 - 733

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

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