Interactive modeling and sensing in urban settings

Response to man made or natural threats will require tools for analysis and prediction of the atmosphere that will need to operate effectively within urban settings and over complex terrain. These include sensing and modeling tools that will provide the necessary information at very high spatial and temporal resolutions, on the order of tens of meters and minutes. Furthermore, first response operations by local, state, and federal authorities will need the output in close to real time; delays of hours or even tens of minutes while models run or data are transferred may negate the value of the resultant information. By combining new environmental sensing capabilities, both remote and in-situ, with numerical models able to rapidly assimilate such data, implementation of fine scale interactive modeling and sensing strategies will become possible. This will allow for the tailoring of model runs and sensing strategies “on the fly” by post processing model output, as well as by the use of advanced atmospheric data assimilation strategies which may include the use of “targeted observations” for areas of high interest or more complex atmospheric events. This paper outlines a potential “system” combining models and sensors that will provide this capability, and the means for its development and evaluation. The technology already is in hand or currently under development. No breakthroughs are required. Furthermore the system is modular so that new or upgraded “modules” may replace older ones without significant impact to the rest of the system.