A Short-Term Air Quality Control for PM10 Levels

Abstract

In this work, the implementation and test of an integrated assessment model (IAM) to aid governments to define their short term plans (STP) is presented. The methodology is based on a receding horizon approach where the forecasting model gives information about a selected air quality index up to 3 days in advance once the emission of the involved pollutants (control variable) are known. The methodology is fully general with respect to the model used for the forecast and the air quality index; nevertheless, the selection of these models must take into account the peculiarities of the pollutants to be controlled. This system has been tested for particulate matter (PM10) control over a domain located in Northern Italy including the highly polluted area of Brescia. The results show that the control system can be a valuable asset to aid local authorities in the selection of suitable air quality plans.

Analysis of the lockdown effects due to the COVID-19 on air pollution in Brescia (Lombardy)

“…The use of the tracer methodology allows the modules to consider chemical transformations, transport, diffusion and deposition. More details about the modules and an application of the model can be found in ( Carnevale et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of the lockdown limitations on PM 10 and NO 2 concentration in the Brescia urban area, considering the possible contribution of confounding factors, such as meteorological parameters. This area has been selected for two main reasons: a) Brescia has very high PM 10 and NO 2 concentrations in nominal situations ( Carnevale et al, 2020 ); b) this area suffered from a strong impact of COVID-19 pandemic, leading to very active participation of the population to the lockdown limitations ( De Angelis et al, 2021 ). Finally, this area was never still investigated in terms of lockdown connected air change, and the results of this study may be interesting also in the frame of the discussion about a possible role of PM in SARS-CoV-2 transmission ( Bontempi and Coccia, 2021 ).…”

A Time Series Approach to Smart City Transformation: The Problem of Air Pollution in Brescia

“…In the study by Carnevale et al [30], the implementation and testing of an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) were presented to assist governments in formulating their shortterm plans (STPs). The objective of these plans is to reduce peak particulate concentration levels and the number of days when air quality threshold values defined by legislation are exceeded.…”

A Model Predictive Control Methodology to Integrate Short and Long Term Air Quality Objectives

“…They encompass tolls for managing measured data [9], [10] and modeling systems capable of integrating their outputs with virtually any accessible measurement data [11], [12], [13]; • Forecasting tools, providing pollutant predicted concentrations within a specified area over a defined predictive time-frame. These tools comprehend (i) models based on data (data-driven) [14], capable of providing information about the pollutant concentrations at monitoring station locations, (ii) deterministic grid models [15], [16] or (iii) models employing a combined method [17]; • Management/Planning solutions, enabling the definition of air quality control measures in the designated area [18], [19] through cost-effectiveness and/or multiobjective methodologies [20], [21], , [22]. In the context of this study, a novel methodology is introduced for delineating both short-term (up to several days) and long-term (1 year) emission control strategies to mitigate nitrogen oxide (NO 2 ) levels.…”