Emerging urban databases for meteorological and dispersion modeling

A suite of urban databases are being developed by researchers at the University of Utah and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The primary application of the databases is atmospheric transport and dispersion models, but other fine scale modeling applications, e.g., air quality modeling, meteorological modeling, climate modeling, hydrologic modeling are also directly applicable. Currently, the second generation NBSD is being created with the following updates to the first generation database: • additional building datasets have been obtained and are being processed • additional building statistics and urban canopy parameters are being incorporated • the building statistics are being correlated to underlying population-land use/cover complex and the correlations are being used to extrapolate building statistics to all metropolitan areas in the US • a web interface is being developed to permit access to the derived building statistics, digital orthophotos, tall building districts, urban footprints, and other emerging urban databases being generated The first generation NBSD CD is available from the authors. Contact the authors to be added to the distribution list.