Conclusion

In this analysis, there are a few findings. First, there is no observable correlation between aerosol concentration and precipitation in the GVRD. This is a good sign indicating that the aerosol content has not become the dominant controlling factor of the precipitation in the region. The dominant controls still rest in the hands of the mid-latitude storm paths and orographic uplift of clouds at the North Shore Mountains. Even so, smog can sometimes become a problem for Vancouver especially during its dry summer. The analysis showed that Richmond and Delta are the two main smog generating source for downwind areas due to its low precipitation and high aerosol concentration. In order to slow or stop the increase of pollution created from these areas, a good plan will be to build a new non-polluting rapid transit line in order to decrease the use of cars in these areas. With variables such as slope, population density and average household income in addition to aerosol and precipitation included to the Multi-Criteria Analysis, the finding is that the middle to western side of Richmond is the most suitable for a new rapid transport line. This area is the most suitable because it has got low slope, and high enough population to support the running of the transit. Adding a rapid transit line in that area will definitely decrease short distance single-occupant vechicle travel and in turn reduce the aerosols released into the atmosphere.

Finally, a word of caution has to be taken into account of this analysis because the data sources for both aerosol and precipitation are sporadic. This relies on the GIS program to interpolate (guess) a wide range of values covering large areas in between the data points. The lack of data points decreases accuracy and might cause unwanted bias to the pollution or cleaniness of an area.

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