The purpose of this app is to alert citizens, especially the ones with health problems, about the current and near-future conditions at their current location. This app is linked to complex algorithms developed by scientists at Masdar Institute using real-time satellite data and weather forecasting models. This app issue warnings on air quality and dust concentration to the public and especially to asthma-effected population. Real-time data is updated each 15 min.
Innovation Summary
Innovation Overview
This is a turning point in the region's ability to properly manage the impacts of dust storms. With access to accurate real-time and forecast of dust events and sandstorms, vulnerable people and concerned authorities can better prepare for them. This innovation can be easily replicated to other sectors. For example, transportation and traffic safety sectors can also benefit from this tool, as it will help show motorists, pilots and air traffic controllers where the dust will be and for approximately how long. Other parameters can be also added to this toll, such as road visibility, surface temperature, water quality, ...etc.
Other dust models exist, but they are not really providing an exact estimation of aerosols over the region. The satellite-based model developed by Masdar Institute is kind of unique. It combines regional expertise that and practical knowledge developed at Masdar Institute on the adaptation of earth observation technologies and scientific modelling to the very specific climate characteristics of desert and arid areas like the UAE.
Innovation Description
What Makes Your Project Innovative?
The high levels of mineral dust and other pollutants wafted into the air during a dust storm can trigger asthma, respiratory diseases, and other infectious diseases. By being able to better predict the UAE's dust storms, the country can more effectively and efficiently manage its health, environment and climate policy; key socio-economic sectors affected by dust storms; and provide advanced warning ahead of extreme dust events in order to reduce risk to human life.
Innovation Development
Users, Stakeholders & Beneficiaries
Academia, Businesses, Civil Society, Elderly people, Families, General population, Government bodies, Government staff, High-risk populations, People with disabilities, Young people
Innovation Reflections
Results, Outcomes & Impacts
Accessibility:
This application can be easily accessed through personal smart phones. This provides a new way for citizens to access information about dust related weather hazards.
Responsiveness:
This application allow a rapid updates (each 15 min) about the current weather condition and the concentration of dust in the air.
Reliability:
The advanced and complex models running in background allow more accurate weather and air quality information products easily accessible to vulnerable population.
Challenges and Failures
Computing time needed to produce updated weather information for the whole country each 15 min was the main implementation challenge.
Also combining advanced weather modeling techniques with satellite data processing technologies was an exciting challenge to our scientists. The adaptation of these technologies to the hot and arid climate of the UAE was a bit challenging especially with the lack of similar studies in this region.
Conditions for Success
Advanced computing infrastructure and satellite data receiving capabilities are needed to implement and run this application.
Advanced knowledge of atmospheric science and scientific modeling will be also needed during the development stage
Lessons Learned
Overseas technologies cannot be imported as black box and applied blindly without careful validation under local conditions.
Status:
- Implementation - making the innovation happen
Innovation provided by:
Date Published:
7 August 2016