Scottish Air Quality Database & Website Development Project

(SAQDDP)

Project Scope

SEPA will be developing and improving data analysis and visualisation on air quality in Scotland to enhance the information available through the Air Quality in Scotland website. Enhancements will be in the form of both spatial and trend analysis web-based tools.

The enhancements being developed by the SAQDDP will be aimed at assisting Local Authorities in their Air Quality duties (including any additional requirements introduced through the Scottish Low Emissions Strategy) and providing appropriate information for the general public. They will provide added value to the existing service

Project runs in parallel to the current Scottish Air Quality Database project which is delivered by a Contractor on behalf of the Scottish Government. It gathers monitoring data from air quality monitoring sites across Scotland and displays this information on the Air Quality in Scotland website

Objectives• Enhanced data analysis and data

visualisation. Including more detailed local and regional maps of air quality

• Incorporate additional data into analysis e.g. Met Office and Transport Scotland which adds value to the information

• Deliver webpages to host the enhancements on the Air Quality in Scotland website

• Develop further links with other sources of environmental information in Scotland (e.g. SEWeb)

• Develop proposals for future enhancements of the service for the users

Product Descriptions

4 PDs looking for any input by SUAQ Steering Group:

Spatial AnalysisTrend Analysis Tool(s)QA/QC of Additional DataWebpages

Remaining 3 PDs being drafted: Stakeholder Engagement Additional Services Future Development

Spatial Analysis

Spatial Analysis Methodology

Methodology supporting production of spatial analysis tool(s).

Developed at both a regional and city scale ensuring that high level principles from stakeholders inform development.

There is an identified need that this be of comparable standard to current national delivery

Input from Aberdeen City Council Project and from Monitoring and Modelling Sub Group

Standardised Urban Model

Concerns the space for visualising the work undertaken by the Aberdeen City Council Modelling Project.

Requirements will be identified for the storage of any future models but it is outwith scope to provide the space for storage or visualisation for any additional models.

Forecasting and Hind-casting Processes

Need to define what is meant by these and then determine feasibility of inclusion in current project

Met Office already produces an air quality forecast so consideration needs to be given to avoid duplication

For hind-casting historical data availability may render this impractical at present instead may consider bookmarking key historical events and linking this back to air quality information

Spatial Data Analysis Application(s)

Anticipated to be interactive Spotfire applications at Regional and City level as part of, or supporting, interactive maps.

Aim to enable users to interrogate air quality data at various spatial levels.

Will be visualised on the webpages.

There will be supporting operating procedures on use of these tool(s).

Spatial Analysis Enhancement

Sets out process for review/updating of spatial analysis tool(s).

Facilitates capture of enhancements which may fall outwith project scope or outwith project timeframe.

Establishes a timetable for review of future enhancements

Trend Analysis Tool(s)

Current Pollutant Trend Analysis Application(s)

(Refers to pollutants currently available through the Air Quality in Scotland website) delivers tools to develop new methods for identifying trends, hotspots and potential outliers in datasets.

Aimed at assisting LAs in Air Quality duties and appropriate info for the general public.

Key idea: these will provide value add to the existing service provision

New Pollutant Trend Analysis Application(s)

As for current pollutants but for pollutants which are not currently available or reported through the Air Quality in Scotland website.

Key idea: these will provide value add to the existing service provision

Operating and Reporting Procedure will be joint between this and previous sub-product

Trend Analysis Enhancement

As with Spatial Analysis:

Sets out process for review/update.

Facilitates capture of enhancements which will fall outwith current project.

Establishes a timetable for review.

Additionally this also encompasses consideration for developing a Headline Air Quality Indicator, reporting the state of the environment for air and building on the deadline indicator reported by DEFRA. This should help to promote the protection of human health by raising awareness.

QA/QC of Additional Data

Additional Site Record

Provide a record of all Scottish monitoring sites contributing to the Scottish air quality network and will likely include: SEPA managed volcanic sites, Transport Scotland sites and Local Authority air quality studies.

The record will be supported by a procedure to ease handing this over to BAU

External Data Process

Primary focus to ensure all external data is of comparable quality (wherever possible) to the data provided by the contractor.

Process and procedure for incorporating additional data to ensure value is added, licence considerations are built in and development needs are identified. This will include a process for LA air quality models but will not involve carrying out the QA/QC.

This product will also outline SEPA’s involvement in supporting the Low Emissions Strategy specifically relating to the modelling outputs.

Quality Assurance Procedure

Putting in place written quality assurance procedures for data (for SEPA sites, LA models and citizen science data), webpages and other procedures which may become necessary under project scope.

Data = comparable to that for AURN sites with exception of citizen science data – linked to Data Management Tool

Webpages = to ensure that they run seamlessly with SAQD website from viewpoint of end user

Other = of linked information and linked portals, and for incorporating additional air quality monitoring data

Webpages

Data Visualisation

Webpages for displaying the regional and city maps, trend and spatial analysis tools and pilot model.

It is likely that there will be 2 distinct ‘areas’ one of which will be password protected for accessing the Aberdeen City Council Pilot Model.

The webpages will be visually comparable to the Air Quality in Scotland website.

This product will also ensure licensing and server arrangements are in place and have clear procedures for handover to BAU.

Linked Information and Portals

Combined with Linked Portals for more streamlined delivery.

Identification of relevant information and portals for inclusion on SAQDDP webpages, e.g. SEWeb linkages.

Key idea: these will provide value add to the existing service provision

Quality Assurance

Ensure webpages run seamlessly with SAQD website from viewpoint of end user, linked with QA Procedure.

Creation of webpage templates, style guide and writing guide to ensure integration of webpages with Air Quality in Scotland website.

This will also include a completed Equalities Impact Assessment.

Service Level Agreement(s)

Establishing acceptable levels of service for webpages: external web server host

internal technical team

Scottish Government

template agreement for the Website Contractor

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Workshops

3 in total are proposed:

1st (May 2015) Requirements Gathering

2nd (Sept 2015) Tool Demonstration and

Feedback

3rd (February 2016) Pre-Launch/Launch

Workshop

April Meeting Proposed Agenda