Fog and haze monitoring included in the national science and technology project levy

Recently, it was announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China that several key projects have been selected under the 863 Program and the National Science and Technology Support Program for 2014. Among these initiatives are research efforts focused on fog and haze monitoring, the development of numerical prediction models, advanced design technologies for large passenger aircraft, and construction techniques for highways in high-altitude and cold regions.

The project on haze monitoring and numerical forecasting is part of the National Science and Technology Support Program, specifically within the resources and environment sector. This initiative aims to develop comprehensive monitoring technologies for haze, establish an atmospheric composition database, and explore the formation mechanisms behind haze weather events. It also includes the development of operational numerical forecasting systems that can provide early warnings about the impact of haze on aviation, highway traffic, urban mobility, and maritime transport. The ultimate goal is to achieve high-resolution, accurate forecasts of haze conditions over a 0–72 hour period, including predictions on when and where haze will occur, its duration, intensity, and geographic spread.

In addition to the haze-related projects, the 2014 call for proposals in the transportation sector covered a wide range of topics, such as pre-study technologies for large passenger aircraft design, intelligent control systems for urban traffic, maintenance technologies for transportation infrastructure, pure electric bus development, key ship technologies, and intelligent transportation networking solutions. These projects aim to enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of modern transportation systems across China.

A notable project under the 863 Program is the advanced design technology for dual-channel large passenger aircraft. This initiative focuses on studying future operational scenarios for such aircraft, developing aerodynamic and flight dynamics modeling techniques, and creating digital simulation tools for flight and operational performance. It also involves comprehensive evaluation methods for airworthiness, flight performance, and fuel efficiency, with the aim of building a performance assessment platform for dual-channel aircraft concepts and conducting demonstration tests.

Another significant project is the development of expressway construction technology in high-altitude and cold regions, particularly in areas like the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Given the extreme environmental challenges—such as low oxygen levels, permafrost, and fragile ecosystems—this project explores the layout and design of highways in frozen environments. It also addresses engineering challenges like road safety under low-temperature and low-oxygen conditions, and the control and stabilization of large-scale permafrost roadbed deformations. Field demonstrations have already been carried out to validate these technologies and improve infrastructure resilience in harsh climates.