Airborne Fine-scale Mapping of Urban Meteorology using Fast-response Sensor Packs Mounted on Avian Species

Rick Thomas, Jian Zhong, Ford Cropley, Jon Sadler, Lee Chapman, A. Robert MacKenzie, Jim Reynolds, Xiaoming Cai, Andrew Quinn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Meteorological observations in the first few tens of metres above the urban canopy layer detailing the structure of the Urban Boundary Layer (UBL) are required to improve air pollution modelling and predict impacts of weather extremes such as urban heat island events (Barlow 2014). Traverses in aircraft carrying remote sensing instruments and in-situ sensors, can be prohibitively expensive for routine use, and flying sensors on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) beyond visual line of sight is likely to remain challenging within the current air safety regulatory environment.
We present observations gathered in the UK during deployments of lightweight, robust and precise sensor packages on captive homing Pigeons (Columba livia) during short-duration urban flights. This recently developed package weighs less than 3% of the pigeon body mass and contains a fast response temperature sensor, pressure altimeter, humidity sensor, light sensor, GPS, accelerometers and gyroscopes (Fig. 1). The temperature sensor has a 5 Hz response time and a resolution of 0.2°C

Development of this sensor package included assessments of sensor response time and potential contaminating bird body heat using a prototype carried on the back of trained Eagles (Thomas et al. 2018). Further tests informed an iterative miniaturization process and provided a performance envelope and operational limits of the sensor package. Packages were commercially manufactured to be carried by multiple pigeons.

Multiple lateral measurements of temperature above and within the urban canopy during summer of 2018 are presented. Deployment is discussed in terms of bird handling and welfare, flight planning, release times and strategies, and synoptic meteorological conditions. The sensor allows temperature features of the order of a few metres to be measured when flying at 18 m/s. Measurements are discussed in the context of surface features in the city and the potential for collected temperature traces to act as a validation tool for 3D urban temperature field models.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2018, abstract, Washington D.C., United States
Publication statusPublished - 12 Dec 2018
EventAmerican Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2018 - Washington D.C., United States
Duration: 10 Dec 201814 Dec 2018

Conference

ConferenceAmerican Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2018
Abbreviated titleAGU18
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington D.C.
Period10/12/1814/12/18

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