Data Processing and Visualization System for the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Environment – Lattice Boltzmann Model (ABLE-LBM)

Author(s):

Leelinda P. Dawson and Yansen Wang

Abstract:

The Atmospheric Boundary Layer Environment – Lattice Boltzmann Model (ABLE-LBM) is the next-generation microscale atmospheric model developed by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory to simulate and predict the atmospheric boundary layer’s turbulent wind, temperature, and other scalar transports over complex terrain and urban areas. ABLE-LBM requires grid-rasterized terrain elevation, building, and vegetation data for the surface boundary information before the model can be used. This report details the development of a Google Geographical Information System (GIS)-based graphical user interface web application for ABLE-LBM that performs data preprocessing, postprocessing, and graphic visualization. This system takes advantage of the numerous resources in map and image data retrieving/handling and overlaying, as well as other GIS features offered by the Google Maps/Earth platform, which improves the system’s functionality and ease of use.