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The Air Quality Data Exchange (AQDE)

The Air Quality Data Exchange (AQDE). An exciting new project and what it means to the AIRNow Program. AQDE – What is it?. Air Quality Data Exchange pilot New Jersey, New York, Delaware partnership

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The Air Quality Data Exchange (AQDE)

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  1. The Air Quality Data Exchange (AQDE) An exciting new project and what it means to the AIRNow Program

  2. AQDE – What is it? • Air Quality Data Exchange pilot • New Jersey, New York, Delaware partnership • Designed to allow free flow of real-time air quality information, both state-to-state and state-to-AIRNow • Uses standardized schema and EPA’s National Environmental Information Exchange Network (NEIEN) and Central Data Exchange (CDX)

  3. Acronym Frenzy… • XML – eXtensible Markup Language • Human and machine readable standardized language for transferring data • NEIEN – National Environmental Information Exchange Network • A sort of “intranet” designed to exchange data between EPA and its partners • CDX – Central Data Exchange • EPA’s “node” on the NEIEN

  4. The basic idea behind NEIEN and CDX • An analogy: • Credit cards • All cards have a magnetic strip with an agreed-upon “schema” for storing your info • Stores grab that info with card readers • It all works because the standards are used by everyone in the industry, plus almost every store plugs into the credit card processing network

  5. The basic idea behind NEIEN and CDX • NEIEN is EPA’s data exchange network • To join, you must meet the standards for configuration and pass data with an approved schema • CDX is EPA’s “loading dock”, where data can be dropped off, or loaded onto, the network

  6. Why? • Eliminates custom data flows and formats between States and EPA • Provides immense opportunities for automation • Allows data sharing between States and with any entity that is on the network • Standardizes the approach

  7. AQDE and AIRNow • AQDE began as a pilot to share data between NJ, NY, and DE; and to share with EPA via CDX • The AQS system was the target, so their XML schema was chosen • AQDE contacted AIRNow about using that same schema to deliver to AIRNow • We piloted this approach last summer

  8. AQDE and AIRNow • STI reviewed the AQS schema and adopted necessary elements to allow for real-time transfers • STI set up a node on the NEIEN • A pilot transfer was completed

  9. Sounds simple. It is! • It’s a simple concept with far-reaching implications: • Same schema for AQS and AIRNow • Non-proprietary alternative to OBS files, XML based for maximum portability • By utilizing CDX positions AIRNow to use the same delivery mechanism as any other EPA data flow.

  10. A few remaining issues • AIRNow and AQS • The XML schema makes integration possible, but with different levels of QA; different regulatory requirements; how do we integrate the two, if we do? • AIRNow Production Node • Currently supporting the AQDE pilot, money is in place to move to national production, but what will that mean?

  11. A few remaining issues • Transition • We can’t stop supporting the old FTP and OBS file method overnight • Funding • Will these save States money, or cost them? • Will it raise the O&M costs for AIRNow?

  12. A few remaining issues, but a ton of promise • At the DMC • Allows for automation of submission and auto-recovery when file transfer fails. • Data submission via node has recovery mechanism built in. The success or failure of submission can be detected and system can be programmed to automatically resend. • AIRNow system can query state or agency nodes for backfill data. • Allows states to update and backfill data in AIRNow database • States can update AIRNow with QC’d data (before they may submit to AQS) and/or backfill missing data. This can be automated. • Allows AIRNow system to easily recover after any period of downtime. AIRNow would query state systems for backfill data and would not require state staff time. This can be automated.

  13. A few remaining issues, but a ton of promise • For equipment and software vendors • Provides a single schema and transfer mechanism that can be integrated into data acquisition platforms • For AIRNow partners • Allows for sharing of data between partners, without necessarily going through the DMC, e.g. AQDE

  14. Next Steps • Bring AIRNow node to production • Market and test this new service outside of the AQDE pilot states • Market the schema to equipment vendors • Begin to explore how this may lead to interconnections between AQS and AIRNow

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