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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S54609/01
Title: Simulating aircraft emissions and condensation trails and their impact on global climate
Principal Investigator: Williams, Dr V
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Organisation: Imperial College London
Scheme: Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 05 January 2004 Ends: 04 January 2009 Value (£): 193,729
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Transport Ops & Management
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Environment Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
28 May 2003 Engineering Advanced Fellowships Interview Panel Deferred
02 May 2003 Engineering Fellowships Sift Panel 2003 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
Research would focus on developing the capability to evaluate fully the potential trade-offs of policy initiatives seeking to reduce the climate impact of aviation. Most of the initiatives currently proposed have focussed on reducing the amount ol fuel burned to target carbon dioxide emissions. This alone would not necessarily reduce the net impacts of the aviation fleet. Many aircraft operate more efficiently at higher altitudes, but in these regions there is an increased likelihood that the ambient atmospheric conditions will be conducive to the formation of persistent condensation trails, or contrails . These contrails make a significant contribution to the impact of aviation on climate.Research would include the combination of an air traffic simulation model with atmospheric data analysis and modelling to evaluate net impacts of policy initiatives and industry changes, with a particular empasis on procedural changes such as possible altitude restrictions, changes in aircraft fleets and the advent of direct routing.The work would allow the application of my experience in atmospheric physics and in air traffic modelling in an interesting and socially relevant contect.
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Organisation Website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk