2009: A Year of AIRNow Changes and Milestones

Prepared byJohn E. White, Phillip G. Dickerson, and Scott A. Jackson

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyResearch Triangle Park, NC

Alan C. Chan, Patrick H. Zahn, Jessica A. Johnson, and Dianne S. MillerAIRNow Data Management Center

Sonoma Technology, Inc.Petaluma, CA

Presented at the 2010 National Air Quality ConferencesRaleigh, NC

March 15-18, 2010

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Outline

• Introduction• AIRNow migration • New AIRNow maps • AIRNow.gov changes• Social networking • New web services• EnviroFlash• Forecasting training videos• AIRNow-International• New data format• What’s on the horizon? 

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Introduction

Since its inception over 10 years ago, AIRNow has evolved continuously. Over the past year, several changes have occurred.• An overhaul of the system

architecture including new mapping and data software

• A new layout for AIRNow.gov• Several new web services• EnviroFlash upgrades

AIRNow Migration

Overhauled system architecture • New SQL database• New software programs for the

management of real-time and historical air quality data– Data Management System (DMS):

ingest, quality control, and validate real-time air quality data

– Information Management System (IMS): generate maps and files, exchange data through web services

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New AIRNow Maps

Forecasts: Observations:

• Interpolated maps of air quality forecasts and observations at national, regional, and local scales

• Maps update automatically as new data or forecasts are received

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AIRNow.gov Changes• Easier navigation to local air

quality conditions and forecasts

• Improved air quality maps— forecasts, observations, and animations

old website new website 6

Social Networking

Facebook:Twitter:

http://twitter.com/airnow http://www.facebook.com/airnow

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AIRNow Web Services (1 of 2)

• ForecastByZIPCode (new)

• ObservedByZIPCode (new)

• ForecastsByIssueDate

• ActionDaysByDate

• Ozone24HourAQI

• PM25Mid24HrAQI

• ReportingAreaMax-AverageAQI

• SiteMaxAverageAQI

• SiteInfoByAQSCode • AgencyGetSites

• GetReportingAreas

Geospatial: (new)• WCS – point • WCS – time series • WCS – grid

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AIRNow Web Services (2 of 2)

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EnviroFlash Upgrades

• Sign-up page

• Web page customization

• Twitter functionality

• Real-time alerts

• RSS feeds

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EnviroFlash Growth

During the past year• Number of subscribers have grown from

21,168 to 132,465—an increase of over 600%

• Number of participating agencies have grown from 54 to 82

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Forecasting Training Videos (1 of 2)

• Video courses with annotated graphics, examples, and explanations

• Topics include basic principles of meteorology and the processes that control air quality

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Forecasting Training Videos (2 of 2)

Available on the AIRNow-Tech resources web page

http://www.airnowtech.org/resources.cfm 13

AIRNow-International (1 of 2)

• Goals– Exchange environmental data

internationally– Make advances in air quality

knowledge and applications– Build a community of people

and organizations

• Uses DMS/IMS software• Currently running at the

Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center for the 2010 World Expo

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AIRNow-International (2 of 2)

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New Data Format: AQCSV (1 of 2)

Supports• AQS standards (parameter codes, POC)• Any AQS parameters• Speciated/lab data• Mobile monitors data (changing location)• International data

Allows for • Bulk data updates• Easy encoding and parsing of data (Excel)• Future ingest of AQS data into AIRNow• Data exchange

New Data Format: AQCSV (2 of 2)

Expanded AIRNow data set • Backfilled with AQS data• Support for AQS parameters

Expanded data delivery options• AQCSV• XML data exchange node

Implementation• Work with vendors to add support for AQCSV• Need to update software • OBS file format will be phased out January 1, 2011

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What’s on the Horizon?

• Improving mapping techniques (data fusion)• Additional forecast cities (National Park

Service)• Real-time air quality alerts from EnviroFlash • Incorporating AQS data into AIRNow-Tech• Expand AIRNow International to include

additional countries• Other new features? Future releases of

IMS/DMS?