AAIR Project No PL 94-2392

TASK 6
Development of a Demonstrator for Testing inter-participant links and model application, and for examining error issues and the scale structure of data

The aims of a demonstrator are:

1.	To demonstrate the project components and links between participants (models, data and methods)
2.	To exchange data between participants in a practical sense, overcoming problems associated with differing formats, software standards, the sizes of datasets etc.
3.	To test the data from differnt participants' countries, as input to models developed in other countries.
4.	To demonstrate and test the metadata and metamodel information and input and access of this information on the web.
5.	To collect metadata and metamodel information formally.
6.	To study scale and error issues and the applicability of models across scales and geographic space using the metamodel and metadata information.
7.	To assess the utility of European-wide data by studying the scale, structure, and error implications with respect to models and the input data.
8.	To increase understanding of the different models and data used in participating countries in order to develop future work more effectively.
9.	To demonstrate the above in a coherent manner to DGVI.

Notes:

It is important to have a first attempt at a demonstration of this combined effort before the mid-project Brussels meeting. This ensures that progress between participants, and a common aim of participant objectives and directions develops. During the discussions in Argyll it became apparent that some participant groups would be required to adjust their research programs to an unreasonable extent in order to accommodate many of the developments being proposed. The matrix agreed upon in Argyll has been clarified to minimise the extra burden by proposing links which, whilst they address the three damage types equally, capitalise on existing data and models which are already developed and immediately available.

After stage 1, MLURI will begin a study to assess the scale and structure of some of the data sets being used at Pan-European data scales (Sub-task 5.3), and develop guides for the appropriate scale of data which can be used in the available models (Sub-task 6.2). This work will use information from the completed metamodel forms (model sensitivities, as they become available) and metadata forms (scale and error).

Proposed Stages in Demonstration Development:
responsibilties, actions and timetabling

Each stage must be completed before the next stage can begin, thus timing is crucial. The completion dates for stages act as the start dates for the next stage. Could you let Marianne know (via the mailing list) as soon as possible if there will be difficulties in meeting any of these deadlines as some adjustments will have to be made and these will affect other participants. All participants will be informed immediately of any changes, in case further clashes emerge as a result. The main aim is to meet the deadline and keep the completion dates as realistic as possible whilst ensuring coordination of the whole group.

STAGE 1

ACTION:
Web site development to accommodate, display and enable participant update of Task1 documentation (access to new and completed metamodel and metadata forms through use of input and output matrices of data providers and model runners, so that all participants can follow progress, obtain information and communicate effectively). Web pages containing the matrices will be used to interface individuals to appropriate forms and information.
PARTICIPANTS: MLURI
COMPLETION DATE: 20th May

STAGE 2

ACTION:
Checking and update of Task1 documentation (e.g. data exchange format, participant packages tables etc).
PARTICIPANTS: ALL PARTICIPANTS
COMPLETION DATE: 30th May

STAGE 3

ACTION:
Completion of web metamodel forms by "model runners".
PARTICIPANTS: Model Runners (NRS, UMEA, CNIG)
COMPLETION DATE: 5th June

STAGE 4

ACTION:
"Data providers" to use metamodel forms and data exchange format matrices to identify appropriate data from their region for input into the model, and ensure that the data is in the format required for the model.
PARTICIPANTS: Data Providers (CNIG, JOENSUU)
COMPLETION DATE: 16th June

STAGE 5

ACTION:
Data providers to complete metadata forms for the data sets which will be used for the demo. Datasets to be sent (some via ftp) to model runners.
PARTICIPANTS: Data Providers (CNIG, JOENSUU)
COMPLETION DATE: 16th June

STAGE 6

ACTION:
Models to be run on data which has been provided (some via ftp) and on "model runners" own datasets.
PARTICIPANTS: Model Runners (NRS, UMEA, CNIG)
COMPLETION DATE: 27th June

STAGE 7

ACTION:
Dissemination of output from models.
Discussion of the results of model runs and their significance.
Assessment of issues associated with links, strategies for improving these and planning of further development.
PARTICIPANTS: ALL PARTICIPANTS
COMPLETION DATE: 3rd July

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Alistair Law - a.law@macaulay.ac.uk

Last modified: Mon Jul 1 17:21:20 BST 1996

TASK 6 Development of a Demonstrator for Testing inter-participant links and model application, and for examining error issues and the scale structure of data