 The series of international conferences on Harmonisation within Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling for Regulatory Purposes is concerned with the improvement of "modelling culture" both in Europe and also more internationally.
Dispersion modelling is widely used for regulatory purposes, both for permits and for assessments, but there is a lack of sufficient mechanisms to make modelling processes transparent and generally to ensure trust in modelling results.
There are many aspects of this such as:
- ensuring that models are scientifically sound
- model validation
- guidance to ensure proper use of models
- promotion of good practice and elimination of bad
- quality assurance with respect to model development
- establishment of reference problems
- comparability of input and output
- ensuring proper exchange of experiences
Such issues that are not specific to one particular model, but common to several, are in focus at the 13th International conference on Harmonisation within Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling for Regulatory Purposes.
The conference is a natural forum for discussing modelling issues related to the European Union air quality directives. European networks can use the conference to expose their work to a wider audience.
The entire series of Harmonisation conferences is the result of an initiative launched in 1991 (see www.harmo.org). The conferences have a role as a forum where users and decision-makers can bring their requirements to the attention of scientists.
Exhibition
An exhibition area will be available upon request for items related to the subject of the Conference.
Audience
The 13th Conference is aimed towards model developers, model users, environmental protection agencies, and environmental legislation experts. It is distinguished from other conferences by its focus on common tools and methodologies.
Location
The Conference will take place in Paris, France, in the Grande Arche de la Défense.
Please indicate your interest by signing up now. This is not a binding registration, but ensures that you will receive e-mails with updated information.
Topics
Sessions will be organised within the following topics:
- Model evaluation and quality assurance - model validation, model intercomparisons, model uncertainties and model sensitivities
- Environmental impact assessment: Air pollution management, decision support systems
- Use of modelling in support of EU air quality directives
- Modelling of hazardous releases [New]
- Meso-scale meteorology and air quality modelling
- Urban scale and street canyon modelling: Meteorology and air quality
- Concentration fluctuations and odour
- Inverse dispersion modelling [New]
The basic criteria for selecting papers for oral presentation will be whether they fit in with the philosophy of developing an improved modelling culture where modellers as well as regulators and users make effective use of each other's experience.
Special sessions may be arranged on model evaluation exercises and other topics within the scope of the conference. Details on such special sessions will be communicated later.
For more information and updated news click here or chek at the Harmo website.
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