Your Choice:
Air Quality Management (AQM)
Evaluate measurements
Screening studies
Design AQ monitoring programmes
Procure and install instruments
Develop Monitoring and Sampling Procedures
Data retrieval, database and presentations
QA/QC systems
Air quality modelling
Impact assessment studies
LA21 and LEAP
Optimal abatement strategies
Capacity Building
Develop and serve databases
Internet based information systems
Content tree

 


AirQUIS: Technical Specification
A GIS based surveillance and planning tool

Based on a Geographical Information System (GIS) platform the Environmental Surveillance and Information System (ENSIS) have been developed to handle air pollution and water pollution problems. AirQUIS is the air pollution related module of this system.

The main objective of a modern environmental surveillance platform of this kind is to enable direct data and information transfer and obtain a remote quality control of the data collection. The system combine monitoring, data presentation and modelling in one package, which enable the user not only to present and evaluate the present situation, but also to undertake environmental planning for a sustainable future. The GIS platform, on which the system is operated, provides easy access to the data and gives a perfect and easily understandable data presentation tool.

ENSIS, a management and decision support system for environmental issues, includes AirQUIS, which is an air pollution related module. The system can be used as a management tool for planners, as an information tool for the public and as an expert system for specialists.

The GIS Functionality
The GIS (Geographical Information System) functionality of the ENSIS system is designed to offer several possibilities for understanding the problems of air pollution.

  • The GIS makes it easier to place the air pollution sources at the correct location, for example by making it easy to display the total network of road links in a city.
  • GIS presentation of area-distributed consumption of fossil fuels and direct emissions gives a good overview of where to expect high impact of air pollution.
  • Viewing the measurement stations on a map with the pollution sources will give an idea of what concentrations one may expect to find at the stations for a given wind direction.
  • The GIS makes it easier to search for geographically linked data in the database.

Displaying results of model calculations as a map can be used for public information on pollution levels at different parts of a city.

The AirQUIS components
AirQUIS consists of six components and makes use of an Oracle database. The system has integrated forms and maps developed in VisualBasic and MapObject (GIS):

  • A manual data entering application,
  • An on line monitoring system,
  • A module for online data acquisition and quality control,
  • A measurement data base for meteorology and air quality,
  • A modern emission inventory data base with emission models,
  • Numerical models for transport and dispersion in air of pollutants,
  • A module for exposure estimates and population exposure assessment,
  • Statistical treatment and graphical presentation of measurements and modelling results,

All objects described above are integrated in a map and menu oriented user-friendly interface with direct link to the databases for measurements, emissions, modelling results and presentation tools. Advanced import/export wizards allow the user to transfer data easily to and from the AirQUIS system

The Technical Platform:  


Hardware
ENSIS has the following minimum recommendations:

PC/Clients:
PC Pentium II 400 MHz
128 MB RAM
1.0 GB hard disc
CD player
19" monitor
Graphic adaptor with 8 Mb RAM, 
   1024 x 786 dpi screen and 65536 colours

PC/Server:
PC Pentium II 400 MHz
256 MB RAM
3 x 4 GB hard discs
Monitor
CD player
Backup unit

Software
ENSIS is a user-friendly system, integrating forms and maps in the same application. The system is developed in VisualBasic and MapObject (as GIS).

To fulfill a successful installation the following additional software must be available:
Windows NT version 4.0 (version 3.51 is possible) on all PC's
ORACLE version 7.3.4 or higher on server
ODBC Merant xx
Communication software between the server and client(s).

More information:
Automatic data acquisition system (ADACS)
What is AirQUIS?
 
Back to Top

Last updated 24.09.01  

© 2001 Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU). All rights reserved.