Geospatial input data for the PALM model system 6.0

model requirements, data sources and processing

authored by: Wieke Heldens, Cornelia Burmeister, Farah Kanani-Sühring, Bjorn Maronga, Dirk Pavlik, Matthias Sühring, Julian Zeidler, Thomas Esch
Abstract: The PALM model system 6.0 is designed to simulate micro-And mesoscale flow dynamics in realistic urban environments. The simulation results can be very valuable for various urban applications, for example to develop and improve mitigation strategies related to heat stress or air pollution. For the accurate modelling of urban environments, realistic boundary conditions need to be considered for the atmosphere, the local environment and the soil. The local environment with its geospatial components is described in the static driver of the model and follows a standardized format. The main input parameters describe surface type, buildings and vegetation. Depending on the desired simulation scenario and the available data, the local environment can be described at different levels of detail. To compile a complete static driver describing a whole city, various data sources are used, including remote sensing, municipal data collections and open data such as OpenStreetMap. This article shows how input data sets for three German cities were derived. Based on these data sets, the static driver for PALM can be generated. As the collection and preparation of input data sets is tedious, prospective research aims at the development of a semi-Automated processing chain to support users in formatting their geospatial data.
Organisation(s): Institute of Meteorology and Climatology
External Organisation(s): Harz Energie GmbH & Co. KG
University of Bergen (UiB)
German Aerospace Center (DLR) (e.V.) Location Oberpfaffenhofen
GEO-NET Umweltconsulting GmbH
Type: Article
Journal: Geoscientific model development
Volume: 13
Pages: 5833-5873
No. of pages: 41
ISSN: 1991-959X
Publication date: 27.11.2020
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Modelling and Simulation, Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-5833-2020 (Access: Open)