The influence of evaluation criteria on selecting air quality monitoring stations

This study compares three methodologies for locating the optimal sites for air quality monitoring stations. These methodologies include the DMSS method, the FOM-SOI method, and the COVA method. The development of the sulfur dioxide monitoring station in Tainan is used as the case study. In these methods, various criteria based on the monitoring objectives are used as evaluation indices. The coverage area and monitoring data at each potential receptor are also used as evaluation indices. The results indicate that the optimal site for establishing an air quality monitoring station may vary significantly when different evaluation criteria or cutoff values are used.