Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #130:Arctic Tropospheric Delay Modelling  (Arctic Tropospheric Delay Modelling)

Outline
The Global Positioning System (GPS) has revolutionized positioning and navigation over the last couple of decades. Furthermore, GPS can be used as an atmospheric sensor. Much effort has been done to improve GPS positioning and atmospheric results. However, the performance of GPS can be degraded in high latitude regions. Apart from a poor geometrical GPS constellation in high latitude regions, there are other sources of uncertainty in GPS positioning. Among these, tropospheric delay is of greatest concern for vertical positioning. Tropospheric delay is usually divided into hydrostatic and wet components. While tropospheric delay is treated as a systematic noise in GPS positioning which mainly affects the height component, the wet part of the delay can be used as a measure for water vapour which is of great importance in weather prediction. In the Arctic, special challenges and opportunities exist as the magnitude of the wet component is much smaller than in lower latitudes. The objective of this research is to improve the tropospheric delay modelling over the Canadian Arctic. Tools to be used include: Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, GPS observations, a Water Vapour Radiometer, a metrological sensor, scientific processing software, and, included as an observing platform, the CCGS Amundsen.The improved model implemented in the positioning process, and the possibility of deriving tropospheric zenith delay using a moving vessel in the far north (where only poor climatic information is available) will be investigated.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
To determine the present status of the atmosphere in the Polar Regions by quantifying the spatial and temporal variability of the wet and dry component of the troposphere. To be able to better predict weather changes and longer term climatic changes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
It is expected that facilities maintained by other countries with a state in the Arctic will be made available for this project, especially USA, Denmark and Russia.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Northern main land and archipelago of Nunavut and North West territories

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 09/07-mm/05            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Logistic requirements have been already arranged by the government of Canada’s National Centre of Excellence “Arctic Net” network, which has arranged for the Amundsen icebreaker to go to the Canadian Arctic. This facility will be shared with other Arctic researchers.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Possibly, depending on funding. With sufficient funding additional atmospheric sensing stations could be established during the IPY.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

National Centre of Excellence “Arctic Net”

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The vice president of the Geodesy section of the Canadian Geophysical Union encouraged us to submit the application. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Northern Environmental Observatories (GEO)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
yes
New autonomous proposal

How will the project be organised and managed?
By Prof. Dare, in collaboration with Prof. Hughes Clarke (Arctic Net researcher) and NRCan researchers. Data collection protocols with follow those established by NRCan and the International GPS Service.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Through local media, specialist Northern publications, and regular magazine and peer-reviewed journals.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
To consider existing methodologies used by NRCan, Service New Brunswick and International GPS Service

How is it proposed to fund the project?
NSERC Discovery Grant [Applied for] $20000 NSERC Northern Research Supplement [Applied for] $ Indian and Northern Affairs NSTP [To be applies for] $3000 Additional funds would be needed for land-travel field work, and construction of new atmospheric sensing stations.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Peter Dare
Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, University of New Brunswick (UNB)
Room E54, Dept. of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering,UNB, P.O.BOX. 4400, Fredericton, NB
E3B 5A3
Canada

Tel: (506) 447-3016
Mobile:
Fax: (506) 453-4943
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information