The simulation of pollutant concentrations using atmospheric models requires continuous advancements to ensure that results are increasingly accurate and aligned with both observed data and recent scientific literature. This study focuses on various types of implementations aimed at updating the modeling chain configurations used in previous System Research activities, while also exploring alternative methodologies.
At the urban scale, development continues on linear sources within the CAMx model, aimed at providing an explicit representation of emissions from road traffic on a high-resolution sampling grid. Initial tests covering part of central Milan reveal that the LPiG scheme is a flexible and consistent solution in terms of implementation, as it allows for meso-scale and local scale resolution with the same model.

At the national scale, a new baseline case for the 2017 meteorological year is being developed, which will serve as the reference for evaluating scenarios. The need for an updated baseline case stems from the analysis of emission trends from 2010 to 2015, which show a reduction in most atmospheric pollutants. In addition to updating the input databases, the new baseline features an increase in spatial resolution from 15 to 4 km. This enhanced resolution allows for detailed representation of major urban areas and the national highway network, resulting in a streamlined modeling system by eliminating the domain over the Po Valley, which was previously necessary as an intermediate domain between the national and metropolitan scales.

The third line of development involves new tests of an emissions-concentration model. This approach provides a particularly useful alternative within the scope of this project, as it offers a simplified tool alongside the traditional modeling chain for rapid assessments of intervention policies.