The main goal of this project is to maintain, as well as to improve, the air-quality forecasting auxiliary system (AQFAS) of the Environmental Protection Administration. Specific tasks include: (1) Maintain proper operation conditions of the AQFAS, including the software interface and automatic network data transfer, and its compatibility during upgrades of new hardware or operation system; (2) Maintain the proper functioning of the forecasting modules (CLIPER, weather analogy method and multiple regression method); update the annual statistical data bank and revise the forecasting modules accordingly; (3) Update the data bank for the weather analog module and the decision tree system interface; (4) Evaluate the results of each forecast module and for each air quality area, and use these evaluation as a guidance for further improvement of the forecasting auxiliary system with a goal of 75% forecasting accuracy; (5) Analyze the 2002 monitoring data for better understanding of the characteristics and trends of air quality and the improvement of the forecasting results; (6) Provide a professional to station in the operation center and assist the weekly assessment of forecast results.

air quality, objective forecast, system maintenance