Operational Prediction of Air Quality (OPAQ)
OPAQ provides a reliable and continuous view on air quality and allows citizens and policymakers to take immediate short term mitigation action. OPAQ is the result of our research for a user-friendly air quality mapping and prediction system enabling regions and cities to provide real-time air quality information and adequately warn their citizens of high pollution episodes.
Real-time air quality and forecasts
OPAQ maps air pollution by applying intelligent interpolation of air quality observations using spatial proxy data: CORINE land cover data, CAMS air quality data, satellite data, altitude and population density.
OPAQ also includes statistical models that apply artificial and recurrent neural networks are used to forecast air pollution levels in the upcoming days. These models are trained with observations of the air quality monitoring networks, meteorology, CAMS European or worldwide air quality forecasts.
The modelled maps and forecasts are available to view and analyse in operational air quality management dashboards.
A flexible tool with a proven track record
OPAQ is an affordable, low-resource-intensive statistical model-based software that can be hosted at VITO, installed on your infrastructure or in the cloud. OPAQ can either be fully configured for continuous operation or be offered as a flexible Python software package for air quality experts. The maps and data can be offered in user-friendly dashboards.
The models are flexible to be adapted to the available input data. For use in Europe, key data is already openly available to set-up a first version i.e. CEN-approved (publicly available) air quality measurement data, low-cost sensor data and open spatial data.
OPAQ has been successfully applied for forecasting and real-time air pollution mapping for nearly 20 years. The models are operationally used in several EU countries, China and India.
Key applications
- Air quality forecasting and generation of the Air Quality Index (AQI) for public communication.
- Mapping air pollution in real-time.
- Data assimilation of low cost air quality sensor networks into OPAQ maps.
- Reliable air quality data for inclusion in Smart City or IoT platforms.
- Identification of air pollution hotspots and high pollution episodes.
Data outputs
- Daily air quality forecasts at hourly resolution for each monitoring station for the next 3 or 4 days ahead.
- Daily forecasted air pollutant concentration maps.
- Hourly, near real-time air pollutant concentration maps: PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, O3.
OPAQ is part of ATMOSYS, VITO’s air quality modelling software and service package. Our air quality team has over fifty years history in air quality modelling and monitoring. We support regional and local authorities, industry and private companies in managing their air quality and effectively implementing air quality action plans.
Learn more about OPAQ
Would you like to know more about OPAQ and real-time air quality and forecasts? Contact Lisa Blyth today.
