The visibility information system was developed in three phases.

Phase I involved the use of near real-time extinction coefficient data from the Surface Observation Network that was acquired, processed, and stored at CAPITA. Tools were developed to convert the data into visibility maps that are displayed and accessible through the web. Phase II involved the use of extinction coefficient from the ASOS network that were acquired and processed by STI. The data were stored on a CAPITA server and were used as input into the web-enabled system developed in Phase II. In phase III STI developed and applied methods for converting the processed extinction coefficient data into PM2.5 concentration estimates.

Phase I
Phase I of the WebVIS project was focused on acquiring extinction coefficient data from existing sources for which a relatively quick and stable mechanism for accessing the data was established. It also incorporated proven methods for processing the data that were used to generate extinction coefficient maps useful for air quality studies. Phase I activitiy was performed at CAPITA that included the following activities.

Visibility Data Acquisition

Hourly extinction coefficient data for the United States were acquired from the Surface Observation Network. CAPITA established a relationship with UNIDATA and Weatherunderground to access hourly surface visibility measurements. The data were acquired from these sources and archived on the CAPITA server hourly.

Data Processing
Filtering, correction, and conversion algorithms were applied to obtain cleaned extinction coefficient values. CAPITA applied established methods for converting raw extinction coefficient data to account for precipitation events and high relative humidity. The filtering and correction for meteorological effects was done to remove low visibility measurements that are not primarily caused by air pollution, thereby make the data suitable for air quality studies. The extinction coefficient values were converted to visual range values using established methods.

Data Storage
The processed data were stored in an On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) database. OLAP databases are useful in analysis of multidimensional data and are well suited for formatting and disseminating the ASOS extinction coefficient data. The OLAP database is housed on a server at CAPITA.

Data Serving
The data are served over the web in a flat-ASCII format and shape file format.

Automated System
The steps for acquiring, processing, storing, and serving the visibility data were coordinated and automated. The extinction coefficient data tables are updates and archived every hour during daylight hours.

Phase II
The Phase II focused on acquiring high-resolution ASOS data and processing them before inputting into the WebVIS system developed in Phase I. The ASOS data consisted of on-minute time resolution measurements of the extinction coefficient.

Links to NWS
A relationship between WebVIS and the NWS or alternative?? Was established to acquire one-minute resolution ASOS extinction coefficient and meteorological data across the monitoring network. STI. STI in cooperation with NWS established the WebVIS access to high-resolution ASOS data. STI developed methods and software to access ASOS data.

Quality Control Data

The on-minute resolution ASOS data required automated quality contro detecting and flagging visibility measurements affected by weather events (e.g. fog, rain, snow, etc.). STI. STI refined a software program previously developed at STI to automatically screen the high-resolution ASOS light extinction data.

Aggregate
The one-minute resolution ASOS data were aggregated to1-hour and 24-hour averages using software developed by STI. The hourly resolution was adequate for air quality studies of a manageable size for transmission through WebVIS. The 24-hour averages were used in Phase III to establish relationship between ASOS visibility and filter PM data.

Incorporation Into WebVIS

The processed hourly ASOS extinction coefficient data were input into WebVIS as developed in Phase I were filtered, corrected, and formatted for web accessibility. Note to Phase II: The NWS is currently considering a proposal that would make unprocessed ASOS data accessible through the web. If the proposal is not funded in FY2002, an alternate approach will be pursued to demonstrate WebVIS using ASOS data. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) has dial-up access to the on-minute resolution data for stations in EPA Region 6 (New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas) and has expressed interest in being involved in the WebVIS project. Their subset of the nationwide ASOS network provides a meaningful data set for pursuing the activities outlined in Phase II. Establishing a successful ASOS access system in Region 6 might also lead to efforts to extend the system into other regions.

Phase III
WebVIS was extended in Phase II with the development and application of methods for converting the ASOS visibility data into estimating of PM2.5 concentrations. STI investigated existing techniques based on strong relationship between PM2.5 concentration and ASOS average extinction coefficient data. The team adapted these techniques to generate estimated PM2.5 concentration maps using the WeVISS software. D