Computational aspects of air quality modelling in urban regions using an optimal resolution approach (AURORA)

Abstract

An integrated model system for the evaluation of urban air qualityis presented. Various modules in the system have been designed and refined, resulting in an air qualitymanagemen t tool that can provide reliable answers to policymak ers and traffic planners. In order to minimise the computational burden, careful attention has been paid to the computational aspects of the AURORA model, in particular with respect to the advection-diffusion scheme and the chemistrymo dule. The AURORA model has been applied for the Antwerp region, focussing in detail on benzene concentrations at street level. The model results for benzene can represent accuratelythe measured trends in benzene concentrations as averaged over 5 dayp eriods for the entire cityof Antwerp.