
The Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) is a UK-based research project that aims to enhance our understanding of how pollutants disperse in urban environments. The project involves field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations to study the interactions between air flow, traffic, and people at street canyon intersections. By focusing on these intersections, the project aims to address a wide range of urban situations and develop solutions for better planning and management of air pollution. The DAPPLE project has conducted field campaigns in central London, collecting data on wind patterns, pollution levels, and traffic flow to improve our ability to model and predict urban air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) |
| Project Type | 4-year U.K. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded project |
| Aim | To enhance understanding of pollutant dispersion processes in realistic urban environments, i.e., street canyon intersections, to enable better planning and management |
| Methodology | Field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations |
| Case Study Area | Junction of Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place in Central London, United Kingdom |
| Data Collected | Mean and turbulent winds at the intersection, carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution levels, traffic flow and composition |
| Findings | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
- DAPPLE is a 4-year UK project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- It aims to enhance the understanding of pollutant dispersion processes in urban environments
- It focuses on street canyon intersections, where pollution sources and people are in close proximity
- DAPPLE uses field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations to study the dispersion of air pollution
- The project provides insights into the physical processes affecting the flow of air, traffic, and people in urban areas

DAPPLE is a 4-year UK project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) is a 4-year UK project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The project is part of the Infrastructure and Environment Programme. DAPPLE is a multidisciplinary research project that aims to enhance understanding of pollutant dispersion processes in realistic urban environments, specifically at the street canyon intersection.
The project involves field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations to study the physical processes affecting street and neighbourhood-scale flow of air, traffic, and people. The interactions between these elements and the dispersion of pollutants at street canyon intersections are of particular interest. Street canyon intersections are where pollution sources, such as traffic, and receptors, such as people, are in close proximity.
The DAPPLE fieldwork is supported by wind tunnel experiments and numerical modelling simulations that can reproduce the field site at different levels of detail. The wind tunnel experiments were conducted at the Environmental Flow Research Laboratory (EnFlo) at the University of Surrey, using a 1:200 scale model of the field study area with a radius of approximately 300 meters from the WCC building.
The DAPPLE project successfully completed its first field campaign at the intersection of Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place in London, collecting data on mean and turbulent winds, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution levels, traffic flow, and composition. The project also introduced background information, study design, methodology for data collection, and preliminary results from a field campaign in central London from April 28 to May 24, 2003.
DAPPLE's focus on street canyon intersections provides a basic urban topography that can be applied to a wide range of urban situations. This understanding of pollutant dispersion processes will enable improvements in predictive abilities, leading to better planning and management of urban environments.
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It aims to enhance the understanding of pollutant dispersion processes in urban environments
The Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) project is a multidisciplinary research initiative. It brings together experts from various fields to conduct field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations. By integrating these approaches, the project aims to enhance the understanding of pollutant dispersion processes in urban environments, specifically focusing on street canyon intersections.
Street canyon intersections serve as an essential case study for the DAPPLE project. These intersections represent basic urban topography, allowing researchers to examine a wide range of factors influencing urban situations. By studying these intersections, the project can investigate the interactions between air flow, traffic, and people, and their impact on pollutant dispersion. This understanding is crucial for developing effective solutions to mitigate air pollution in urban areas.
The DAPPLE project goes beyond traditional two-dimensional models of street canyons. Instead, it employs wind tunnel experiments and numerical modelling simulations to reproduce the field site with varying levels of detail. This includes considering block-shaped buildings, roof structures, and architectural features. By conducting these experiments at the Environmental Flow Research Laboratory (EnFlo) at the University of Surrey, researchers can simulate and analyse the dispersion of pollutants at street level.
The DAPPLE project's comprehensive approach provides valuable insights into the complex nature of urban environments. By studying the interactions between air flow, traffic patterns, and human activities, the project aims to improve the predictive ability of pollutant dispersion models. This enhanced understanding will enable better planning and management of urban areas, ultimately leading to improved air quality and public health outcomes for city dwellers.
The DAPPLE project has already made significant contributions to the understanding of air pollution in urban areas. For example, the project conducted a field campaign at the intersection of Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place in Central London. This field study provided data on wind patterns, pollution levels, and traffic flow, offering a real-world context for the project's modelling efforts. By continuing to collect and analyse data from diverse urban environments, the DAPPLE project will further enhance the understanding of pollutant dispersion processes and their impact on public health.
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It focuses on street canyon intersections, where pollution sources and people are in close proximity
The Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) project is a multidisciplinary research initiative that aims to enhance our understanding of how air pollution disperses in urban environments, particularly at street canyon intersections.
Street canyon intersections are locations where pollution sources, such as traffic, and receptors, like pedestrians, are in close proximity. By focusing on these intersections, the DAPPLE project provides a basic case study for understanding the factors influencing air pollution in a wide range of urban settings.
The project employs field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations to study the physical processes affecting the flow of air, traffic, and people at street and neighbourhood scales. This includes analysing the dispersion of pollutants at street canyon intersections and how they interact with the surrounding environment.
The DAPPLE project's first field campaign took place in central London from 28 April to 24 May 2003, with the case study area being the region surrounding the junction of Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place. This location was chosen due to its representation of a typical urban topography, allowing for the study of various factors influencing air pollution dispersion in cities.
Through its comprehensive approach, the DAPPLE project strives to improve our understanding of air pollution dispersion, ultimately enabling better planning and management to mitigate the impacts of pollution in urban areas.
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DAPPLE uses field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations to study the dispersion of air pollution
The Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) project is a multidisciplinary research initiative that aims to enhance the understanding of pollutant dispersion processes in realistic urban environments, specifically at the street canyon intersection. This intersection is of particular interest as it serves as a basic case study for a wide range of urban situations. To achieve its objectives, DAPPLE employs a combination of field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations.
Field measurements are conducted to gather data on various aspects of the urban environment, including street and neighbourhood-scale flow of air, traffic patterns, and human activities. This involves measuring concentrations of pollutants, wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, and other relevant parameters at specific locations within the study area. These measurements provide a baseline understanding of how pollutants disperse in the complex urban landscape.
Wind tunnel modelling is a crucial component of the DAPPLE project. Researchers create scale models of the field study area, such as the intersection of Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place in Central London, and conduct experiments to simulate and observe the dispersion of pollutants under controlled conditions. By adjusting variables such as wind speed, building layouts, and pollution sources, scientists can gain insights into the complex interactions between airflow, urban structures, and pollution dispersion.
Computer simulations complement the wind tunnel experiments by allowing researchers to model and analyse a wide range of scenarios that may be challenging or impractical to replicate in a wind tunnel. These simulations consider various factors, including building geometries, meteorological conditions, emission sources, and chemical reactions, to predict how pollutants disperse throughout the urban environment. By varying these parameters, computer simulations help identify critical factors influencing pollution dispersion and support the development of predictive models.
By integrating field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations, the DAPPLE project strives to improve the understanding of air pollution dispersion in urban areas. This comprehensive approach enables researchers to validate and refine their models, enhancing the accuracy of predictions and facilitating better planning and management of urban environments to mitigate the impacts of air pollution on human health and the environment.
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The project provides insights into the physical processes affecting the flow of air, traffic, and people in urban areas
The Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) project is a multidisciplinary research initiative that aims to enhance our understanding of the physical processes influencing the flow of air, traffic, and people in urban areas. By conducting field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations, the project sheds light on the complex interactions between these elements and the dispersion of pollutants at street canyon intersections.
Street canyon intersections, where tall buildings, traffic congestion, and human activity converge, are a primary focus of the DAPPLE project. These intersections serve as a microcosm for the diverse factors at play in urban environments. Through detailed analysis, the project strives to unravel the intricate dynamics of air pollution dispersion, providing a foundation for more effective planning and management strategies.
One of the key components of the DAPPLE project is field measurements. Researchers take real-world measurements of various parameters, including wind patterns, pollution levels, and traffic flow. This involves deploying specialized equipment, such as anemometers and pollution sensors, at specific locations to gather data over time. By collecting these measurements, scientists can gain insights into the natural processes that govern the dispersion of air pollutants.
Wind tunnel modelling is another critical aspect of the DAPPLE project. Researchers create scale models of urban areas, such as the intersection of Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place in London, and simulate different wind and pollution scenarios. These experiments help in understanding how air flows around buildings, how pollutants disperse, and how street design influences these patterns. By adjusting variables in a controlled environment, scientists can make predictions about pollution dispersion and test the effectiveness of potential interventions.
Additionally, computer simulations play a pivotal role in the DAPPLE project. Using advanced computational models, researchers can simulate complex urban environments and the interactions between air flow, traffic, and people. These simulations incorporate data from field measurements and wind tunnel experiments to create dynamic representations of urban areas. By running simulations, scientists can test various scenarios, analyze the movement of pollutants, and evaluate the potential impact of changes in infrastructure or traffic patterns.
The insights gained from the DAPPLE project have far-reaching implications for urban planning and policy-making. By deepening our understanding of the physical processes affecting air flow, traffic, and people in urban areas, the project enables the development of more effective strategies to mitigate air pollution. This includes the design of urban landscapes that promote better air circulation, the implementation of traffic management systems that reduce congestion, and the establishment of regulations that minimize pollution sources.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) project is a multidisciplinary research group that aims to understand the physical processes affecting the flow of air, traffic, and people in urban areas, and how they interact with the dispersion of pollutants at street canyon intersections.
The DAPPLE project aims to enhance the understanding of pollutant dispersion processes in realistic urban environments, thereby improving predictive abilities to enable better planning and management of air pollution.
The DAPPLE project utilizes field measurements, wind tunnel modelling, and computer simulations to study the dispersion of air pollution in urban areas.











































