Objective
The main objective of this project is to develop an interoperable framework for real time automatic mapping of critical environmental variables by extending spatial statistical methods and employing open, web-based, data exchange and visualisation tools. To illustrate the potential of the framework at the European scale we will apply the framework to produce a system for automatic mapping of radiation levels reported by 29 European countries that participate in the European radiological data exchange platform (EURDEP).
In case of hazards and emergencies (e.g. pollution peaks, nuclear/radiological accidents, flash-floods), maps of environmental variables interpolated from monitoring network measurements are needed in real time with minimum or no human intervention to reflect the monitored situation. In particular when dealing with unforeseen events ("hot spots" or extreme values) environmental monitoring systems (EMS) usually lack adequate automatic mapping systems. Because spatial interpolation has an associated interpolation error, an automatic mapping system must inform decision makers about the uncertainties associated with the interpolated maps, such as by means of probabilities that a critical threshold is exceeded over a certain geographic region. Combining these probabilities with population density yields a system for rapid assessment of exposed population at risk.
This project addresses key issues of GMES and integrates the results in an INSPIRE compliant framework, based on open standards (OGC/Orchestra/OASIS) and web (feature) services. Hence, the project has the ambition to lay down the foundations that set the technology and science necessary to realise the above objectives in the most accurate, reliable and extensible form.