Quick reference for AERMOD – Version 23132

SUMMARY OF CONTROL PATHWAY KEYWORDS AND PARAMETERS

Keyword Parameters
TITLEONE Title1
where: Title1 First line of title for output, character string of up to 68
characters (additional characters can be included on the
TITLEONE keyword, but only the first 68 characters are printed
in the output files).
TITLETWO Title2
where: Title2 Optional second line of title for output, character string of up to
68 characters (any additional characters are not printed).

MODELOPT DFAULT ALPHA BETA CONC AREADPLT FLAT NOSTD NOCHKD NOWARN SCREEN SCIM NOMINO3
RLINEFDH ELEV WARNCHKD NOURBTRAN VECTORWS PSDCREDIT FASTALL FASTAREA GSRM TTRM
TTRM2 PVMRM OLM ARM2 DEPOS DDEP WDEP DRYDPLT WETDPLT NODRYDPLT NOWETDPLT
AREAMNDR HBP

where: DFAULT Specifies that the regulatory default options will be used; note
that specification of the DFAULT option will override some
non-DFAULT options that may be specified in the input file,
while other non-DFAULT options will cause fatal errors when
DFAULT is specified (see below for details).
ALPHA Non-regulatory option flag that allows the input control file to
include research/experimental options for review and
evaluation by the user community; (e.g., LOW_WIND,
PSDCREDIT, ORD_DWNW, AWMADWNW, PLATFORM,
METHOD 2 particle deposition, gas deposition, RLINEFDH,
and RLINEXT with options for modeling barriers and
depressed roadways) and cannot be used with DFAULT
keyword.
BETA Non-regulatory option flag that allows the input control file to
include options that have been vetted through the scientific
community and are waiting to be promulgated as regulatory
options. Prior to promulgation, BETA options require
alternative model approval for use in regulatory applications
and cannot be used with DFAULT keyword.
CONC Specifies that concentration values will be calculated.
DEPOS Specifies that total deposition flux values will be calculated.
DDEP Specifies that dry deposition flux values will be calculated.
WDEP Specifies that wet deposition flux values will be calculated.
AREADPLT Specifies use of non-regulatory method for optimized plume
depletion due to dry removal mechanisms for area sources
(cannot be used when the DFAULT keyword is specified).
FLAT Specifies that the non-regulatory option of assuming flat terrain
will be used; Note that FLAT and ELEV may be specified in

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Keyword Parameters
the same model run to allow specifying the non-regulatory
FLAT terrain option on a source-by-source basis; FLAT
sources are identified by specifying the keyword FLAT in
place of the source elevation field on the SO LOCATION
keyword (cannot be used simultaneously with the DFAULT
keyword); the RLINE and RLINEXT source types require
FLAT to be used.
ELEV Specifies that the default option of assuming elevated terrain will
be used; Note that FLAT and ELEV may be specified in the
same model run to allow specifying the non-regulatory FLAT
terrain option on a source-by-source basis (the ELEV option is
set as a regulatory option with the DFAULT keyword).
NOSTD Specifies that the non-regulatory option of no stack-tip
downwash will be used (cannot be used with the DFAULT
keyword).
NOCHKD Specifies that the non-regulatory option of suspending date
checking will be used for non-sequential meteorological data
files (cannot be used with the DFAULT keyword).
WARNCHKD Specifies that the option of issuing warning messages rather than
fatal errors will be used for non-sequential meteorological data
files.
NOWARN Specifies that the option of suppressing the detailed listing of
warning messages in the main output file will be used (the
number of warning messages is still reported, and warning
messages are still included in the error file controlled by the
CO ERRORFIL keyword).
SCREEN Non-regulatory option for running AERMOD in a screening
mode for AERSCREEN will be used (cannot be used when
the DFAULT keyword is specified).
SCIM Sampled Chronological Input Model – non-regulatory option
used only with the ANNUAL average option to reduce
runtime by sampling meteorology at a user-specified regular
interval; SCIM sampling parameters must be specified on the
ME pathway (cannot be used with the DFAULT keyword).
PVMRM Specifies that the Plume Volume Molar Ratio Method
(PVMRM) for NO2 conversion will be used (regulatory
option, can be used simultaneously with DFAULT); cannot be
used with OLM, ARM2, or GRSM; cannot be used with
TTRM without TTRM2.
OLM Specifies that the Ozone Limiting Method (OLM) for NO2
conversion will be used (regulatory option, can be used
simultaneously with DFAULT keyword); cannot be used with
PVMRM, ARM2, or GRSM; cannot be used with TTRM
without TTRM2.
ARM2 Specifies that the Ambient Ratio Method - 2 (ARM2) for NO2
conversion will be used (regulatory option, can be used with
DFAULT keyword); cannot be used with PVMRM, OLM, or
GRSM; cannot be used with TTRM without TTRM2.
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Keyword Parameters
TTRM Specifies that the non-regulatory Travel Time Reaction Method
(TTRM) will be used for NO2 conversion (non-regualtory
alpha option, requires the ALPHA keyword and cannot be
used with the DFAULT keyword); cannot be used with
PVMRM, OLM, ARM2 without TTRM2; cannot be used with
GRSM; cannot be used with TTRM2 without PVMRM, OLM,
or ARM2.
TTRM2 Specifies that the non-regulatory Travel Time Reaction Method
(TTRM) will be paired with OLM, PVMRM, or ARM2 for
NO2 conversion (non-regualtory alpha option, requires the
ALPHA keyword and cannot be used with the DFAULT
keyword); cannot be used with TTRM alone or GRSM; must
be paired with one of PVMRM, OLM, or ARM2
GRSM Specifies that the non-regulatory Generic Reaction Set Method
(GRSM) will be used for NO2 conversion (non-regulatory
option, requires the BETA keyword and cannot be used with
the DFAULT keyword); cannot be used with PVMRM, OLM,
TTRM, TTRM2, or ARM2.
PSDCREDIT Specifies that the non-regulatory ALPHA option will be used to
calculate the increment consumption with PSD credits using
the PVMRM option (cannot be used with the DFAULT
keyword).
FASTALL Non-regulatory option to optimize model runtime through use of
an alternative implementation of horizontal meander for
POINT and VOLUME sources; also optimizes model runtime
for AREA/AREAPOLY/AREACIRC/LINE, OPENPIT,
RLINE, and RLINEXT sources (formerly associated with
TOXICS option, now controlled by the FASTAREA and
FASTALL option, cannot be used with the DFAULT
keyword).
FASTAREA Non-regulatory option to optimize model runtime through hybrid
approach for AREA/ AREAPOLY/AREACIRC and
OPENPIT sources (formerly associated with TOXICS option,
cannot be used with the DFAULT keyword).
DRYDPLT Option to incorporate dry depletion (removal) processes
associated with dry deposition algorithms; this requires
specification of dry deposition source parameters and
additional meteorological variables; dry depletion will be used
by default if dry deposition algorithms are invoked; cannot be
used with NODRYDPLT.
NODRYDPLT Option to disable dry depletion (removal) processes associated
with dry deposition algorithms; cannot be used with
DRYDPLT.
WETDPLT Option to incorporate wet depletion (removal) processes
associated with wet deposition algorithms; this requires
specification of wet deposition source parameters and
additional meteorological variables; wet depletion will be used
by default if wet deposition algorithms are invoked; cannot be
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Keyword Parameters
used with NOWETDPLT.
NOWETDPLT Option to disable wet depletion (removal) processes associated
with wet deposition algorithms; cannot be used with
WETDPLT.
NOURBTRAN Non-regulatory option to ignore the transition from nighttime
urban boundary layer to daytime convective boundary layer
(i.e., to revert to the urban option as implemented prior to
version 11059) (cannot be used with the DFAULT keyword).
VECTORWS Option to specify that input wind speeds are vector mean (or
resultant) wind speeds, rather than scalar means. Under the
VECTORWS option, the adjustments to wind speeds based on
Equation 112 of the AERMOD Model Formulation document
(EPA, 2023a) will be applied (can be used with the DFAULT
keyword).
NOMINO3 Option to remove the minimum ozone used for Tier 2 & 3 NO2
options. Without this option, AERMOD will use a minimum
value of 40 ppb of ozone for nighttime stable conditions,
regardless of the value in an hourly input file (can be used
with the DFAULT keyword).
RLINEFDH Option to have wind profile calculations without a displacement
height for RLINE and RLINEXT source types. This makes the
wind profile closer to other AERMOD source types, which do
not use a displacement height in wind profile (requires the
ALPHA keyword and cannot be used with the DFAULT
keyword).
AREAMNDR Option to apply plume meander to AREA. AREAPOLY,
AREACIRC, and LINE source types. Note that AREAMNDR
and FASTAREA or FASTALL can be specified in the same
model run, but in that case, meander will not be applied to
those source types listed.
HBP Option for highly buoyant plumes (HBP) when plume penetrates
the top of the convective mixed layer. Limited to point source
types (POINT, POINTHOR, POINTCAP). Compares
convective mixing height for the current hour and next hour to
determine how much of the penetrated plume has been
captured by the CBL by the end of the current hour (requires
the ALPHA keyword and cannot be used with the DFAULT
keyword).
AVERTIME Time1 Time2 . . . TimeN MONTH PERIOD
or
ANNUAL
where: TimeN Nth optional averaging time (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24-hr)
MONTH Option to calculate MONTHly averages .
PERIOD Option to calculate averages for the entire data PERIOD; for the
MULTYEAR option, the summary of highest PERIOD
averages is based on the highest PERIOD average across the
individual years processed with MULTYEAR.
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Keyword Parameters
ANNUAL Option to calculate ANNUAL averages (assumes complete
years); for multi-year meteorological data files, with and
without the MULTYEAR option, the multi-year average of the
ANNUAL values is reported.
URBANOPT For multiple urban areas:
UrbanID Urbpop (Urbname) (UrbRoughness)

For single urban area:

Urbpop (Urbname) (UrbRoughness)
where: UrbanID Specifies the alphanumeric urban ID (up to eight characters).
UrbPop Specifies the population of the urban area.
(UrbName) Specifies the name of the urban area (optional).
(UrbRoughness) Specifies the urban surface roughness length, meters (optional,
defaults to 1.0m; value other than 1.0m treated as non-
DFAULT).
POLLUTID Pollut (H1H or H2H or INC)
where: Pollut Identifies type of pollutant being modeled. Any name of up to
eight characters may be used, e.g., SO2, NOX, CO, PM25,
PM-2.5, PM10, PM-10, TSP or OTHER.

NOTE: Some processing options are pollutant-specific, and

require the user to specify the appropriate pollutant ID. For
example, use of PM10, PM-10, PM25, PM2.5, PM-2.5, PM-
25, LEAD, NO2, SO2, or OTHER allows for the use of the
MULTYEAR option.

Use of PM25, PM2.5, PM-2.5, or PM-25, triggers special

processing for the PM-2.5 NAAQS, based on values averaged
across the number of years processed (see Section Error!
Reference source not found.).

Use of NO2 or SO2 triggers special processing for their

respective 1-hr NAAQS based on daily maximum 1-hr
concentrations, averaged across the number of years modeled
if the CO AVERTIME keyword includes 1-hr averages (see
Section Error! Reference source not found.).

Use of NO2 is required in order to use the OLM and PVMRM

options for simulating conversion of NO to NO2.

Use of SO2 also triggers the use of a 4-hour half-life for SO2
decay for urban applications under the regulatory default
option.
H1H or
H2H or Use of the H1H or H2H or INC keyword (not case-specific)
INC disables the special processing requirements associated the 1-
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Keyword Parameters
hr NO2 and SO2 NAAQS and the 24-hr PM2.5 NAAQS.
Specifying one of these keywords would allow for modeling
PM2.5 24-hr increments which are based on the H2H value,
and allow evaluating NO2 options in AERMOD based on
incomplete years of field measurements.
HALFLIFE Haflif
where: Haflif Half-life used for exponential decay (s).
DCAYCOEF Decay
where: Decay Decay coefficient for exponential decay (s-1) = 0.693/HAFLIF
GASDEPDF React F_Seas2 F_Seas5 (Refpoll)

The ALPHA option must be specified as a MODELOPT on the CO pathway to

use the GASDEPDF keyword.
where: React Value for pollutant reactivity factor (fo).
F_Seas2 Fraction (F) of maximum green LAI for seasonal category 2.
F_Seas5 Fraction (F) of maximum green LAI for seasonal category 5.
(Refpoll) Optional name of reference pollutant.
GASDEPVD Uservd

The ALPHA option must be specified as a MODELOPT on the CO pathway to

use the GASDEPVD keyword.
where: Uservd User-specified dry deposition velocity (m/s) for gaseous
pollutants.
GDLANUSE Sec1 Sec2 ... Sec36

The ALPHA option must be specified as a MODELOPT on the CO pathway to

use the GDLANUSE keyword.
where: Sec1 Land use category for winds blowing toward sector 1 (10
degrees).
Sec2 Land use category for winds blowing toward sector 2 (20
. degrees).
.
.
Sec36 Land use category for winds blowing toward sector 36 (360
degrees).
GDSEASON Jan Feb ... Dec

The ALPHA option must be specified as a MODELOPT on the CO pathway to

use the GDSEASON keyword.
where: Jan Seasonal category for January:
1 = Midsummer/Lush vegetation;

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Keyword Parameters
. 2 = Autumn/Unharvested cropland;
. 3 = Late autumn after harvest or Winter with no snow;
. 4 = Winter with continuous snow cover; or
. 5 = Transitional spring/partial green coverage/short annuals)

Dec Seasonal category for December.

LOW_WIND SVmin (WSmin) or
SVmin WSmin (FRANmax) or
SVmin WSmin FRANmax (SWmin) or
SVmin WSmin FRANmax SWmin (BigT) or
SVmin WSmin FRANmax SWmin BigT (FRANmin) or
SVmin WSmin FRANmax SWmin BigT FRANmin (PBAL)

The ALPHA option must be specified as a MODELOPT on the CO pathway to use the
LOW_WIND keyword
where: SVmin Minimum value of sigma-v, within a range of 0.01 to 1.0 m/s.
WSmin Minimum value of wind speed, within a range of 0.01 to 1.0 m/s.
FRANmax Maximum value for meander factor, within a range of 0.0 to 1.0.
SWmin Minimum value of sigma-w, within a range of 0.0 to 3.0 m/s.
BigT Time period (BigT) used to calculate the time scale TRAN,
within a range of 0.5 to 48.0 hours.
FRANmin Minimum value for meander factor, within a range of 0.0 to 1.0
but must be less than or equal to FRANmax.
PBAL Alternate momentum balance approach to determine plume
meander which overrides the default energy balance approach.
AWMADWNW AWMAUEFF and/or
AWMAENTRAIN and/or
((AWMAUTURB or AWMAUTURBHX) w/wo STREAMLINE(D))

The ALPHA option must be specified as a MODELOPT on the CO pathway to

use the AWMADWNW keyword.
where: AWMAUEFF Redefines the height at which the wind speed is taken from the
profile wind speed used in the calculation of concentrations
from the primary plume.
AWMAENTRAIN Changes beta (B) entrainment coefficient for PRIME downwash
from default value of 0.60 to 0.35.
AWMAUTURB Uses alternative formulations for turbulence enhancement and
velocity deficit calculations.
AWMAUTURBHX Uses distance-based plume rise at the downwind distance X for
calculations.
STREAMLINE Reduces dispersion in the wake of streamlined structures such as
storage tanks and cooling towers.
ORD_DWNW ORDUEFF and/or ORDTURB and/or ORDCAV

The ALPHA option must be specified as a MODELOPT on the CO pathway to

7
Keyword Parameters
use the ORD_DWNW keyword.
where: ORDUEFF Redefines the height at which the wind speed is taken from the
profile wind speed used in the calculation of concentrations
from the primary plume.
ORDTURB Redefines the maximum value of the ambient turbulence
intensity in the wake, reduced from 0.07 to 0.06.
ORDCAV Redefines the initial vertical dispersion, 𝜎z, of the re-emitted
plume at the cavity boundary to equal the 𝜎z of the cavity
plume.
NO2EQUIL NO2Equil
where: NO2Equil Equilibrium ratio of NO2/NOx for the PVMRM, OLM, and
TTRM options; between 0.1 and 1.0, inclusive (default is 0.9).
NO2STACK NO2Ratio
where: NO2Ratio Default in-stack ratio of NO2/NOx for PVMRM, OLM, TTRM,
and GSRM options, which may be overridden by the
NO2RATIO keyword on SO pathway.

NOTE: Beginning with version 11059, AERMOD no longer

assumes a default in-stack ratio of 0.1 for the OLM option.
ARMRATIO ARM2_Min ARM2_Max For ARM2 Option
where: ARM2_Min Minimum ARM2 ambient ratio, with a default value of 0.50.
ARM2_Max Maximum ARM2 ambient ratio, with a default value of 0.90.
O3SECTOR StartSect1 StartSect2 . . . StartSectN, where N is ≤ 6
where: StartSect1 Starting direction for the first sector.
StartSect2 Starting direction for the second sector.
. .
. .
StartSectN Starting direction for the last sector.

NOTE: The minimum sector width allowed is 30 degrees, and

warning messages will be issued for sector widths less than
60 degrees. Sector-varying O3 concentrations will be selected
based on the flow vector, i.e., the downwind direction based
on the wind direction specified in the surface meteorological
data file.
OZONEFIL O3FileName (O3Units) (O3Format) (without O3SECTORs)
or
SECTx O3FileName (O3Units) (O3Format) (with O3SECTORs)
where: SECTx Applicable sector (x = 1 to 6) defined on the CO O3SECTOR
keyword, if specified.
O3FileName Filename for hourly ozone data file (YR, MN, DY, HR,
O3Value).

8
Keyword Parameters
(O3Units) Units of ozone data (PPM, PPB, or UG/M3); default is UG/M3.
(O3Format) Fortran format statement to read ozone file; default is FREE-
format, i.e., comma or space-delimited data fields (Yr Mn Dy
Hr O3Value). The O3Format parameter must include open
and close parentheses, the date variables must be read as
integers (Fortran I format), and the O3Value must be read as
real (Fortran F, E, or D format), e.g., ‘(4I2,F8.3)’. The year
may be specified as a 2-digit or 4-digit year, and the data
period in the OZONEFIL must match the data period in the
meteorological data files.
OZONEVAL O3Value (O3Units ) (without O3SECTORs)
or
SECTx O3Value (O3Units) (with O3SECTORs)
where: SECTx Applicable sector (x = 1 to 6) defined on the CO O3SECTOR
keyword, if specified.
O3Value Background ozone concentration; also used to substitute for
missing data in OZONEFIL.
(O3Units) Units of ozone value (PPM, PPB, or UG/M3); default is UG/M3.
O3VALUES O3Flag O3values(i), i=1, n (without O3SECTORs)
or
SECTx O3Flag O3values(i), i=1, n (with O3SECTORs)
where: SECTx Applicable sector (x = 1 to 6) defined on the CO O3SECTOR
keyword, if specified.
O3Flag Background ozone values flag:
ANNUAL for annual; SEASON for seasonal; MONTH for
monthly; HROFDY for hour-of-day; WSPEED for wind speed
category; SEASHR for season-by-hour; HRDOW for
emission rates vary by hour-of-day, and day-of-week [M-F,
Sat, Sun]; HRDOW7 for emission rates vary by hour-of-day,
and the seven days of the week [M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sat, Sun];
SHRDOW for season by hour-of-day by day-of-week
(M-F,Sat,Sun); SHRDOW7 for season by hour-of-day by
day-of-week (M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW for month
by hour-of-day by day-of-week (M-F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW7
for month by hour-of-day by day-of-week
(M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun).
O3values Array of background concentrations, for: ANNUAL, n=1;
SEASON, n=4; MONTH, n=12; HROFDY, n=24;
WSPEED, n=6; SEASHR, n=96; HRDOW, n=72;
HRDOW7, n=168; SHRDOW, n=288; SHRDOW7, n=672;
MHRDOW, n=864; MHRDOW7, n=2016.

NOTE: Background ozone values input through the

O3VALUES keyword are assumed to be in units of PPB,
unless modified by the OZONUNIT keyword.

9
Keyword Parameters
OZONUNIT OzoneUnits
where: OzoneUnits Ozone concentration units for O3VALUES, specified as PPB for
parts-per-billion, PPM for parts-per-million, or UG/M3 for
micrograms/cubic-meter.
The following keywords: NOXSECTR, NOX_FILE, NOXVALUE, NOX_VALS, and NOX_UNIT,
are only applicable to the GRSM NO-to-NO2 Conversion Option. The BETA and GRSM options
must both be specified as MODELOPTs on the CO pathway.
NOXSECTR StartSect1 StartSect2 . . . StartSectN, where N is ≤ 6
where: StartSect1 Starting direction for the first sector.
StartSect2 Starting direction for the second sector.
. .
. .
StartSectN Starting direction for the last sector.

NOTE: The minimum sector width allowed is 30 degrees, and

warning messages will be issued for sector widths less than 60
degrees. Sector-varying NOX concentrations will be selected
based on the flow vector, i.e., the downwind direction based on
the wind direction specified in the surface meteorological data
file.
NOX_FILE NOXFileName (NOXUnits) (NOXFormat) (without NOXSECTRs)
or
SECTx NOXFileName (NOXUnits) (NOXFormat) (with NOXSECTRs)
where: SECTx Applicable sector (x = 1 to 6) defined on the CO O3SECTOR
keyword, if specified.
NOXFileName Filename for hourly NOX data file (YR, MN, DY, HR,
NOXValue).
(NOXUnits) Units of NOX data (PPM, PPB, or UG/M3); default is UG/M3.
(NOXFormat) Fortran format statement to read NOX file; default is FREE-
format, i.e., comma or space-delimited data fields (Yr Mn Dy
Hr NOXValue). The NOXFormat parameter must include
open and close parentheses, the date variables must be read as
integers (Fortran I format), and the NOXValue must be read
as real (Fortran F, E, or D format), e.g., ‘(4I2,F8.3)’. The year
may be specified as a 2-digit or 4-digit year, and the data
period in the NOX_FILE must match the data period in the
meteorological data files.
NOXVALUE NOXValue (NOXUnits ) (without NOXSECTRs)
or
SECTx NOXValue (NOXUnits) (with NOXSECTRs)
where: SECTx Applicable sector (x = 1 to 6) defined on the CO NOXSECTR
keyword, if specified.
NOXValue Background ozone concentration; also used to substitute for
missing data in OZONEFIL.
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Keyword Parameters
(NOXUnits) Units of ozone value (PPM, PPB, or UG/M3); default is UG/M3.
NOX_VALS NOXFlag NOXvalues(i), i=1, n (without NOXSECTRs)
or
SECTx NOXFlag NOXvalues(i), i=1, n (with NOXSECTRs)
where: SECTx Applicable sector (x = 1 to 6) defined on the CO O3SECTOR
keyword, if specified.
NOXFlag Background ozone values flag:
ANNUAL for annual; SEASON for seasonal; MONTH for
monthly; HROFDY for hour-of-day; WSPEED for wind speed
category; SEASHR for season-by-hour; HRDOW for
emission rates vary by hour-of-day, and day-of-week [M-F,
Sat, Sun]; HRDOW7 for emission rates vary by hour-of-day,
and the seven days of the week [M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sat, Sun];
SHRDOW for season by hour-of-day by day-of-week
(M-F,Sat,Sun); SHRDOW7 for season by hour-of-day by
day-of-week (M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW for month
by hour-of-day by day-of-week (M-F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW7
for month by hour-of-day by day-of-week
(M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun).
NOXvalues Array of background concentrations, for: ANNUAL, n=1;
SEASON, n=4; MONTH, n=12; HROFDY, n=24;
WSPEED, n=6; SEASHR, n=96; HRDOW, n=72;
HRDOW7, n=168; SHRDOW, n=288; SHRDOW7, n=672;
MHRDOW, n=864; MHRDOW7, n=2016.

NOTE: Background NOX values input through the

NOXVALUES keyword are assumed to be in units of PPB,
unless modified by the NOX_UNIT keyword.
NOX_UNIT NOXUnits
where: NOXUnits NOX concentration units for NOX_VALS, specified as PPB for
parts-per-billion, PPM for parts-per-million, or UG/M3 for
micrograms/cubic-meter.
FLAGPOLE (Flagdf)
where: (Flagdf) Default value for height of (flagpole) receptors above local
ground, a default value of 0.0 m is used if this optional
parameter is omitted.
ARCFTOPT (AirportID)
where: (AirportID) Optional alphanumeric character string to identify the airport
where aircraft sources are located.
RUNORNOT RUN or NOT
where: RUN Indicates to run full model calculations.
NOT Indicates to process setup data and report errors, but to not run

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Keyword Parameters
full model calculations.
EVENTFIL (Evfile) (Evopt)
where: (Evfile) Identifies the filename to be used to generate a file for input to
EVENT model (Default=EVENTFIL.INP).
Optional parameter to specify the level of output detail selected
(Evopt) for the EVENT model: either SOCONT or DETAIL (default is
DETAIL if this parameter is omitted).
SAVEFILE (Savfil) (Dayinc) (Savfl2)
where: (Savfil) Specifies name of disk file to be used for storing intermediate
results (default = SAVE.FIL); file is overwritten after each
dump.
(Dayinc) Number of days between dumps (optional: default is 1).
(Savfl2) Optional second disk filename to be used on alternate
dumps - eliminates risk of system crash during the dump. If
blank, file is overwritten each time.
INITFILE (Inifil)
where: (Inifil) Specifies name of disk file of intermediate results to be used for
initializing run (default = SAVE.FIL).
MULTYEAR (H6H) Savfil (Inifil)
where: (H6H) Optional field formerly used to specify that High-Sixth-High is
being calculated for use in PM10 processing; no longer
required.
Savfil Specifies name of file to be used for storing results at the end of
the year.
(Inifil) Optional name of file used for initializing the results arrays from
previous year(s). The Inifil parameter is not used for the first
year in the multi-year run.
DEBUGOPT MODEL (Dbgfil) and/or METEOR (Dbmfil) and/or PRIME (Prmfil)
and/or
AWMADW (AwmaDwfil)
and/or
PLATFORM (PlatfmDbgFil)
and/or
DEPOS (Dbgfil)
and/or
[AREA (AreaDbFil) or LINE (LineDbFil)]
and/or
RLINE (RlineDbgFil)
and/or
BLPDBUG (BLPDbFil)
and/or
URBANDB (UrbanDbFil)
and/or

12
Keyword Parameters
[PVMRM (Dbpvfil) (and TTRM2) or
OLM (OLMfil) (and TTRM2) or
ARM2 (ARM2fil) (and TTRM2) or
TTRM (TTRMfil) or GSRM (GSRMfil)]
and/or
SWPOINT (SWfil)
and/or
HBPDBG (HBPfil)
and/or
AIRCRAFT (DbARCFTfil)
where: MODEL Specifies that MODEL debugging output will be generated.
(Dbgfil) Optional filename for the model calculation debug file (a default
filename of ‘MODEL.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
METEOR Specifies that METEORological profile data file will be
generated.
(Dbmfil) Optional filename for the meteorological profile data file (a
default filename of ‘METEOR.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
PRIME Specifies that PRIME debugging output will be generated.
(Prmfil) Optional filename for PRIME debug file (a default filename of
‘PRIME.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
AWMADW Specifies the debug out will be generated for AWMA
DownWash options.
(AwmaDwfil) Optional filename for AWMADW debug file (a default filename
of ‘AWMADW.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
PLATFORM Specifies the debug out will be generated for PLATFORM
Downwash options.
(PlatfmDbgfil) Optional filename for PLATFORM downwash debug file. (a
default filename of ‘PLATFORM.DBG’ will be used if
omitted).
DEPOS Specifies that DEPOSition debugging output will be generated,
using default filenames of ‘GDEP.DAT’ for gas deposition
and ‘PDEP.DAT’ for particle deposition.
AREA or LINE Specifies that AREA or LINE debugging output will be
generated, including debugging outputs for OPENPIT sources,
if included in the modeling.
(AreaDbfil) Optional filename for AREA debug file (a default filename of
‘AREA.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
RLINE Specifies that RLINE dbugging output will be generated.
(RLineDbgFil) Optional filename for RLINE debug file (a default filename of
‘RLINE.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
BLPDBUG Debug information for the BUOYLINE source.
(BLPDbFil) Optional filename for BLPDBUG debug file (a default filename
of ‘BLPDBUG.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
URBANDB Debug information from the URBANDB option. This will
produce 3 output files, one for the surface meteorology and
two for the profile meteorology.
(UrbanDbFil) Optional filename for URBANDB debug files This will produce

13
Keyword Parameters
three output files, one for the surface meteorology, two for the
profile meteorology. If the filename is specified by the user,
then the filename will be used for the surface meteorology
debug file. The same name will be assigned for the two
profile debug files with a “1” and “2” appended to the
filename, respectively. Default filenames: URBDBUG.DBG,
URBDBUG1.DBG, and URBDBUG2.DBG.
PVMRM Specifies that PVMRM debugging output will be generated
(Dbpvfil) Optional filename for PVMRM debug file (a default filename of
‘PVMRM.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
OLM Specifies that OLM debugging output will be generated
(OLMfil) Optional filename for OLM debug file (a default filename of
‘OLM.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
ARM2 Specifies that ARM2 debugging output will be generated
(ARM2fil) Optional filename for ARM2 debug file (a default filename of
‘ARM2.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
TTRM Specifies that TTRM debugging output will be generated
(TTRMfil) Optional filename for TTRM debug file (a default filename of
‘TTRM.DBG’will be used if omitted).
TTRM2 Specifies that TTRM2 debugging output will be generated.
TTRM2 can only be used with ARM2, PVMRM, or OLM and
only if specified with the MODELOPT keyword along with
one of those options. A user-defined debug filename cannot be
specified for the TTRM2 debug option.
GRSM Specifies that GRSM debugging output will be generated.
(GSRMfil) Optional filename for GRSM debug file (a default filename of
‘GRSM.DBG’ will be used if omitted).
SWPOINT Specifies debugging output for the SWPOINT (sidewash) source
type will be generated.
(SWfil) Optional filename for SWPOINT debug file (a default filename
of SWPOINT.DBG will be used if omitted).

Note: The user can specify any of the applicable debug

options for a particular model run, and the options can be
specified in any order. However, the optional filenames
must be specified immediately after the keyword option
associated with the filename. Also note that debugging
information that was written to the main ‘aermod.out’ file
for the MODEL debug option prior to version 13350 is
now written to the applicable debug file (either MODEL
or PRIME) and beginning with version 14134 debug
information for AREA/LINE/OPENPIT sources is written
to the AREA debug file.

HBPDBG Specifies debugging output for the HBP (highly buoyant plume)
sources will be generated.
(HBPfil) Optional filename for HBP debug file (a default filename of
HBP_DEBUG.DBG will be used if omitted).
14
Keyword Parameters

AIRCRAFT Specifies debugging output for AREA and VOLUME aircraft

sources.
(DbARCFTfil) Optional filename for the AIRCRAFT debug file (a default
filename of AIRCRAFT.DBG will be used if omitted).

15
 SUMMARY OF SOURCE PATHWAY KEYWORDS AND PARAMETERS

Keyword Parameters
ELEVUNIT METERS or FEET
where: METERS Specifies input units for source base elevations of meters (default if
ELEVUNIT is omitted).
FEET Specifies input units for source elevations of feet.
Note: This keyword applies to source base elevations only.
LOCATION SrcID Srctyp Xs Ys (Zs) [for all Srctyps except LINE,
BUOYLINE, RLINE, and RLINEXT]
or
(FLAT) [for ‘FLAT & ELEV’ option]
or

SrcID Srctyp Xs1 Ys1 Xs2 Ys2 (Zs) [for LINE, RLINE, or BUOYLINE Srctyp]
or
(FLAT) [for ‘FLAT & ELEV’ option]
or

SrcID Srctyp Xs1 Ys1 Zs1 Xs2 Ys2 Zs2 (Zs) [for RLINEXT Srctyp]
or
(FLAT) [for ‘FLAT & ELEV’ option]

where: SrcID Source identification code (unique alphanumeric string of up to 12

characters).
Srctyp Source type: POINT, POINTCAP, POINTHOR, VOLUME, AREA,
AREAPOLY, AREACIRC, OPENPIT, LINE, BUOYLINE, RLINE,
or RLINEXT.
Xs x-coord of source location, corner for AREA, AREAPOLY, and
OPENPIT, center for AREACIRC (m).
Ys y-coord of source location, corner for AREA, AREAPOLY, and
OPENPIT, center for AREACIRC (m).
Xs1, Xs2 x-coords of midpoint for start and end of LINE, RLINE, RLINEXT, or
BUOYLINE source (m).
Ys1, Ys2 y-coords of midpoint for start and end of LINE, RLINE, RLINEXT, or
BUOYLINE source (m).
Zs1, Zs2 z-coords of midpoint for start and end of RLINEXT source (m).
(Zs) Optional z-coord of source location (elevation above mean sea level,
defaults to 0.0 if omitted).
(FLAT) Optional keyword to indicate non-DFAULT option to specify source to
model with FLAT terrain.
SRCPARAM SrcID Ptemis Stkhgt Stktmp Stkvel Stkdia (POINT, POINTCAP,
POINTHOR source)
Vlemis Relhgt Syinit Szinit (VOLUME source)
Aremis Relhgt Xinit (Yinit) (Angle) (Szinit) (AREA source)
Aremis Relhgt Nverts (Szinit) (AREAPOLY source)
Aremis Relhgt Radius (Nverts) (Szinit) (AREACIRC source)
16
Keyword Parameters
Lnemis Relhgt Width (Szinit) (LINE or RLINE source)
Opemis Relhgt Xinit Yinit Pitvol (Angle) (OPENPIT source)
Blemis Relhgt (BUOYLINE source)
Rlemis DCL Width Szinit (RLINEXT source)
where: SrcID Source identification code.
Emis Source emission rate: in g/s for Ptemis, Vlemis, and Blemis; g/(s-m2) for
Aremis, Lnemis, and Opemis; g/m/s for Rlemis.
Hgt Source physical release height above ground (center of height for
VOLUME, height above base of pit for OPENPIT).
Stktmp Stack gas exit temperature (K).
Stkvel Stack gas exit velocity (m/s).
Stkdia Stack inside diameter (m).
Syinit Initial lateral dimension of VOLUME source (m).
Szinit Initial vertical dimension of VOLUME, AREA, LINE, RLINE, or
RLINEXT source (m).
Xinit Length of side of AREA source in X-direction (m).
Yinit Length of side of AREA source in Y-direction (m) (optional parameter,
assumed to be equal to Xinit if omitted).
Angle Orientation angle (deg) of AREA or OPENPIT source relative to N
measured positive clockwise, rotated around the source location,
(Xs,Ys) (optional parameter, assumed to be 0.0 if omitted).
Nverts Number of vertices used for AREAPOLY or AREACIRC source
(optional for AREACIRC sources).
Radius Radius of circular area for AREACIRC source (m).
Width Width of LINE, RLINE, or RLINEXT source (m).
Pitvol Volume of OPENPIT source (m3).
Blemis Buoyant line emission rate in g/(s) for the individual line of BUOYLINE
source.
DCL Distance from roadway centerline for RLINEXT source (m).
BUILDHGT SrcID (or SrcRange) Dsbh(i), i=1, 36
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which building dimensions apply,
entered as two alphanumeric strings separated by a '-'.
Dsbh Array of direction-specific building heights (m) beginning with 10
degree flow vector and incrementing by 10 degrees clockwise.
BUILDLEN SrcID (or SrcRange) Dsbl(i), i=1, 36
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which building dimensions apply.
Dsbl Array of direction-specific building lengths (m) beginning with 10
degree flow vector and incrementing by 10 degrees clockwise.
BUILDWID SrcID (or SrcRange) Dsbw(i), i=1, 36
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which building dimensions apply.
Array of direction-specific building widths (m) beginning with 10

17
Keyword Parameters
Dsbw degree flow vector and incrementing by 10 degrees clockwise.
XBADJ SrcID (or SrcRange) Xbadj(i), i=1, 36
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which XBADJ distances apply.
Xbadj(i) Array of direction-specific along-wind distances beginning with 10
degree flow vector and incrementing by 10 degrees clockwise.
YBADJ SrcID (or SrcRange) Ybadj(i), i=1, 36
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which YBADJ distances apply.
Ybadj(i) Array of direction-specific across-wind distances beginning with 10
degree flow vector and incrementing by 10 degrees clockwise.
AREAVERT SrcID Xv(1) Yv(1) Xv(2) Yv(2) ... Xv(i) Yv(i)
where: SrcID Source identification code.
Xv(1) X-coordinate of the first vertex of an AREAPOLY source (must be the
same as the value of Xs for that source defined on the SO
LOCATION card).
Yv(1) Y-coordinate of the first vertex of an AREAPOLY source (must be the
same as the value of Ys for that source defined on the SO
LOCATION card).
Xv(i) X-coordinate for the ith vertex of an AREAPOLY source.
Yv(i) Y-coordinate for the ith vertex of an AREAPOLY source.
RBARRIER SrcID Htwall DCLwall (Htwall2 DCLwall2)
where: SrcID Source identification code.
Htwall Height of the wall (or barrier 1) near roadway (m).
DCLwall Distance from the roadway centerline to the wall (m).
Htwall2 Height of the second wall (or barrier 2) near roadway (m).
DCLwall2 Distance from the roadway centerline to the second wall (m).
RDEPRESS SrcID Htwall DCLwall Depth Wtop Wbottom
where: SrcID Source identification code.
Depth Depth of the depression containing the roadway (m).
Wtop Width of the top of the depression containing the roadway (m).
Wbottom Width of the bottom of the depression containing the roadway (m).
BLPINPUT (BLPGrpID) Blavgllen Blavgbhgt Blavgbwid Blavglwid Blavgbsep Blavgfprm
where: BLPGrpID Buoyant line group ID following parameters apply to
Blavgllen Average buoyant line length (m)
Blavgbhgt Average building height (m)
Blavgbwid Average building width (m)
Blavglwid Average buoyant line width (m)
Blavgsep Average building separation (m)
Blavgfprm Average buoyancy parameter (m4/s3)
URBANSRC For multiple urban areas:

18
Keyword Parameters
UrbanID SrcID’s and/or SrcRng’s

For single urban areas:

SrcID’s and/or SrcRng’s

User may also specify ‘ALL’ for SrcID’s to assign all sources as urban.
where: UrbanID Specifies the alphanumeric urban ID (up to eight characters).
SrcID Specifies which source(s) will be modeled with urban effects.
SrcRange Specifies a range of sources that will be modeled with urban effects.

EMISFACT SrcID (or SrcRange) Qflag Qfact(i), i=1,n

where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which emission rate factors apply.
Qflag Variable emission rate flag:
SEASON for seasonal; MONTH for monthly; HROFDY for
hour-of-day; WSPEED for wind speed category; SEASHR for
season-by-hour; HRDOW for emission rates vary by hour-of-day, and
day-of-week [M-F, Sat, Sun]; HRDOW7 for emission rates vary by
hour-of-day, and the seven days of the week [M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sat,
Sun]; SHRDOW for season by hour-of-day by day-of-week
(M-F,Sat,Sun); SHRDOW7 for season by hour-of-day by day-of-
week (M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW for month by hour-of-day
by day-of-week (M-F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW7 for month by hour-of-
day by day-of-week (M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun).
Qfact Array of scalar emission rate factors, for:
SEASON, n=4; MONTH, n=12; HROFDY, n=24;
WSPEED, n=6; SEASHR, n=96; HRDOW, n=72;
HRDOW7, n=168; SHRDOW, n=288; SHRDOW7, n=672;
MHRDOW, n=864; MHRDOW7, n=2016
EMISUNIT Emifac Emilbl Outlbl
where: Emifac Emission rate factor used to adjust units of output (default value is
1.0E06 for CONC for grams to micrograms; default value is 3600 for
grams/sec to grams/m2/hr for deposition).
Emilbl Label to use for emission units (default is grams/sec).
Outlbl Label to use for output units; applies to first output type if more than one
output type is generated (default is micrograms/m**3 for
concentration and grams/m**2 for deposition).
RLEMCONV No parameters or secondary keywords
Changes the expected emission units for the RLINE (Lemis) and RLEINXT
(Rlemis)emissions to grams/hour/link.
CONCUNIT Emifac Emilbl Conlbl
where: Emifac Emission rate factor used to adjust units of output (default value is
1.0E06 for concentration for grams to micrograms).
Emilbl Label to use for emission units (default is grams/sec).

19
Keyword Parameters
Conlbl Label to use for concentrations (default is micrograms/m3).
DEPOUNIT Emifac Emilbl Deplbl
where: Emifac Emission rate factor used to adjust units of output for deposition (default
value is 3600 for grams/sec to grams/m2/hr).
Emilbl Label to use for emission units (default is grams/sec).
Deplbl Label to use for deposition (default is grams/m2).
PARTDIAM SrcID (or SrcRange) Pdiam(i), i=1,Npd
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which size categories apply.
Pdiam Array of particle diameters (microns).
MASSFRAX SrcID (or SrcRange) Phi(i), i=1,Npd
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which mass fractions apply.
Phi Array of mass fractions for each particle size category.
PARTDENS SrcID (or SrcRange) Pdens(i), i=1,Npd
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Range of sources (inclusive) for which particle densities apply.
Pdens Array of particle densities (g/cm3) for each size category.
METHOD_2 SrcID (or SrcRange) FineMassFraction Dmm
where: SrcID Source identification code.
FineMassFra Fraction (between 0 and 1) of particle mass emitted in fine mode, less
ction than 2.5 microns.
Dmm Representative mass mean particle diameter in microns.
GASDEPOS SrcID (or SrcRange) Da Dw rcl Henry
where: SrcID Source identification code.
Da Diffusivity in air for the pollutant being modeled (cm2/s).
Dw Diffusivity in water for the pollutant being modeled (cm2/s).
rcl Cuticular resistance to uptake by lipids for individual leaves (s/cm).
Henry Henry's Law constant (Pa m3/mol).
NO2RATIO SrcID (or SrcRange) NO2Ratio
where: SrcID Source identification code.
SrcRange Source ID range for specified ratio.
NO2Ratio In-stack ratio of NO2/NOx.
HOUREMIS Emifil SrcID's SrcRange's
where: Emifil Specifies name of the hourly emission rate file.
SrcID's Discrete source IDs that are included in the hourly emission file.
SrcRange's Source ID ranges that are included in the hourly emission file.
BGSECTOR StartSect1 StartSect2 . . . StartSectN, where N is ≤ 6

20
Keyword Parameters
where: StartSect1 Starting direction for the first sector.
StartSect2 Starting direction for the second sector.
. .
. .
StartSectN Starting direction for the last sector.

NOTE: The minimum sector width allowed is 30 degrees, and warning

messages will be issued for sector widths less than 60 degrees.
Sector-varying background concentrations will be selected based on
the flow vector, i.e., the downwind direction, based on the wind
direction specified in the surface meteorological data file.
BACKGRND BGflag BGvalue(i), i=1, n (without BGSECTORs)
and/or
HOURLY BGfilnam (BGformat)

or

SECTx BGflag BGvalue(i), i=1, n (with BGSECTORs)

and/or
SECTx HOURLY BGfilnam (BGformat)
where: SECTx Applicable sector (x = 1 to 6) defined on the SO BGSECTOR keyword,
if specified.

BGflag Variable background concentration flag:

ANNUAL for annual; SEASON for seasonal; MONTH for monthly;
HROFDY for hour-of-day; WSPEED for wind speed category;
SEASHR for season-by-hour; HRDOW for emission rates vary by
hour-of-day, and day-of-week [M-F, Sat, Sun]; HRDOW7 for
emission rates vary by hour-of-day, and the seven days of the week
[M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sat, Sun]; SHRDOW for season by hour-of-day by
day-of-week (M-F,Sat,Sun); SHRDOW7 for season by hour-of-day
by day-of-week (M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW for month by
hour-of-day by day-of-week (M-F,Sat,Sun); MHRDOW7 for month
by hour-of-day by day-of-week (M,Tu,W,Th,F,Sat,Sun).
BGvalue Array of background concentrations; for:
ANNUAL, n=1; SEASON, n=4; MONTH, n=12;
HROFDY, n=24; WSPEED, n=6; SEASHR, n=96;
HRDOW, n=72; HRDOW7, n=168; SHRDOW, n=288;
SHRDOW7, n=672; MHRDOW, n=864;
MHRDOW7, n=2016

HOURLY Flag indicating that hourly background concentrations are specified in a

separate data file; data period must match the meteorological data
period being processed; no missing values are allowed in the hourly
file, unless temporally varying background concentrations are also
specified through the BGflag parameter, which are used to substitute
for missing hourly values.

21
Keyword Parameters
BGfilnam Filename for hourly background concentrations.
(BGformat) Optional Fortran format of hourly background concentration file; the
default format is FREE format, i.e., comma or space-delimited data
fields (Yr Mn Dy Hr BGvalue). The BGformat parameter must
include open and close parentheses, the date variables must be read as
integers (Fortran I format), and the BGvalue must be read as real
(Fortran F, E, or D format), e.g., ‘(4I2,F8.3)’. The year may be
specified as a 2-digit or 4-digit year, and the data period in the
HOURLY background file must match the data period in the
meteorological data files. The BGformat parameter cannot include any
blank spaces, unless the field in enclosed by double quotes.

NOTE: Background concentrations specified on the BACKGRND

keyword are currently assumed to be in units of PPB for NO2 and
SO2, PPM for CO, and UG/M3 for all other pollutants, unless
otherwise specified on the SO BACKUNIT keyword.

Background concentrations can be included with any source group,

including group ‘ALL’, by including a “SrcID” of
‘BACKGROUND’ on the SRCGROUP keyword. Note that
background concentrations are automatically included with
group ALL by default; however, background concentrations
can be excluded from group ALL by including
NOBACKGROUND (or NOBACKGRND) on the SRCGROUP
ALL keyword.
BACKUNIT BGunits
where: BGunits Background concentration units, specified as PPB for parts-per-billion,
PPM for parts-per-million, or UG/M3 for micrograms/cubic-meter.
Background concentrations input in units of PPB or PPM are
converted to micrograms/cubic-meter based on reference temperature
(25 C) and pressure (1013.25 mb).

Note: Units of PPB and PPM can only be used with the NO2, SO2,
and CO POLLUTID.
INCLUDED Incfil
where: SrcIncFile Filename for the included source file, up to 200 characters in length;
double quotes (“) may be used as delimiters for the filename to allow
for embedded spaces; and quotes don’t count toward the limit of 200.
OLMGROUP OLMGrpID SrcID's SrcRange's
or
ALL
where: OLMGrpID Group ID (Grpid = ALL specifies group including all sources).
Discrete source IDs to be included in group.
SrcID's Source ID ranges to be included in group.

22
Keyword Parameters
SrcRange's Note: Card may be repeated with same Grpid if more space is needed
to specify sources.
BLPGROUP BLPGrpID SrcID’s SrcRange’s
where: BLPGrpID Buoyant line group ID.
SrcID’s Discrete BUOYLINE source IDs to be included in group.
SrcRange’s BUOYLINE source ID ranges to be included in group.

PSDGROUP PSDGrpID SrcID's SrcRange's

where: PSDGrpID PSD GrpID for PSDCREDIT option, must be one of the following:
INCRCONS – increment-consuming sources,
NONRBASE – non-retired baseline sources, or
RETRBASE – retired (increment-expanding) baseline sources.
SrcID's Discrete source IDs to be included in group.
SrcRange's Source ID ranges to be included in group.

Note: Card may be repeated with same PSDGrpID if more space is

needed to specify sources
HBPSRCID SrcID's and/or SrcRange's or ALL
where: SrcID's Discrete source IDs to be included.

SrcRange's Source ID ranges to be included.

Note: Card may be repeated if more space is needed to specify sources.

Includes all sources modeled that are source type POINT, POINTHOR,
ALL and POINTCAP.

ARCFTSRC SrcID's and/or SrcRange's or ALL

where: SrcID's Discrete source IDs to be included.

SrcRange's Source ID ranges to be included.

Note: Card may be repeated if more space is needed to specify sources.

ALL Applies aircraft plume rise option (ARCFTOPT) to all AREA and
VOLUME source types modeled.
SRCGROUP SrcGrpID SrcID's SrcRange's
where: SrcGrpID Group ID (Grpid = ALL specifies group including all sources).
SrcID's Discrete source IDs to be included in group; a “SrcID” of
‘BACKGROUND’ (or ‘BACKGRND’) can be used to include
background concentrations, based on the BACKGRND keyword.
Also note that background concentrations are automatically included
with group ALL; however, background concentrations can be
excluded from group ALL by specifying ‘NOBACKGROUND’ on
23
Keyword Parameters
the SRCGROUP ALL keyword.

Source ID ranges to be included in group.

SrcRange's
Note: Card may be repeated with same Grpid if more space is needed to
specify sources.
BLPINPUT Blavgblen Blavgbhgt Blavgbwid Blavglwid Blavgbsep Blavgfprm
where: Blavgblen Average building length (m).
Blavgbhgt Average building height (m).
Blavgbwid Average building width (m).
Blavglwid Average line source width (m) (of the individual lines).
Blavgbsep Average building separation (m) (between the individual lines).
Blavgfprm Average buoyancy parameter (m4/s3).

24
 SUMMARY OF RECEPTOR PATHWAY KEYWORDS AND PARAMETERS

Keyword Parameters
ELEVUNIT METERS or FEET
where: METERS Specifies input units for receptor elevations of meters.
FEET Specifies input units for receptor elevations of feet.
Note: This keyword applies to receptor elevations only.
GRIDCART Netid STA
XYINC Xinit Xnum Xdelta Yinit Ynum Ydelta
or XPNTS Gridx1 Gridx2 Gridx3 .... GridxN, and
YPNTS Gridy1 Gridy2 Gridy3 .... GridyN
ELEV Row Zelev1 Zelev2 Zelev3 ... ZelevN
HILL Row Zhill1 Zhill2 Zhill3 ... ZhillN
FLAG Row Zflag1 Zflag2 Zflag3 ... ZflagN
END
where: Netid Receptor network identification code (up to eight alphanumeric
characters).
STA Indicates STArt of GRIDCART subpathway, repeat for each new Netid.
XYINC Keyword identifying grid network generated from x and y increments.
Xinit Starting local x-axis grid location in meters.
Xnum Number of x-axis receptors.
Xdelta Spacing in meters between x-axis receptors.
Yinit Starting local y-axis grid location in meters.
Ynum Number of y-axis receptors.
Ydelta Spacing in meters between y-axis receptors.
XPNTS Keyword identifying grid network defined by series of x and y
coordinates.
Gridx1 Value of first x-coordinate for Cartesian grid.
GridxN Value of 'nth' x-coordinate for Cartesian grid.
YPNTS Keyword identifying grid network defined by series of x and y
coordinates.
Gridy1 Value of first y-coordinate for Cartesian grid.
GridyN Value of 'nth' y-coordinate for Cartesian grid.
ELEV Keyword to specify that receptor elevations follow.
Row Indicates which row (y-coordinate fixed) is being input.
Zelev An array of receptor terrain elevations for a particular Row.
HILL Keyword to specify that hill height scales follow.
Row Indicates which row (y-coordinate fixed) is being input.
Zhill An array of hill height scales for a particular Row.
FLAG Keyword to specify that flagpole receptor heights follow.
Row Indicates which row (y-coordinate fixed) is being input.
Zflag An array of receptor heights above local terrain elevation for a particular
Row (flagpole receptors).
END Indicates END of GRIDCART subpathway, repeat for each new Netid.
GRIDPOLR Netid STA
ORIG Xinit Yinit,
or ORIG Srcid
25
Keyword Parameters
DIST Ring1 Ring2 Ring3 ... RingN
DDIR Dir1 Dir2 Dir3 ... DirN,
or GDIR Dirnum Dirini Dirinc
ELEV Dir Zelev1 Zelev2 Zelev3 ... ZelevN
HILL Dir Zhill1 Zhill2 Zhill3 ... ZhillN
FLAG Dir Zflag1 Zflag2 Zflag3 ... ZflagN
END
where: Netid Receptor network identification code (up to eight alphanumeric
characters).
STA Indicates STArt of GRIDPOLR subpathway, repeat for each new Netid
ORIG Optional keyword to specify the origin of the polar network (assumed to
be at x=0, y=0 if omitted).
Xinit local x-coordinate for origin of polar network (m).
Yinit local y-coordinate for origin of polar network (m).
Srcid Source ID of source used as origin of polar network.
DIST Keyword to specify distances for the polar network.
Ring1 Distance to the first ring of polar coordinates (m).
RingN Distance to the 'nth' ring of polar coordinates (m).
DDIR Keyword to specify discrete direction radials for the polar network.
Dir1 First direction radial in degrees (1 to 360).
DirN The 'nth' direction radial in degrees (1 to 360).
GDIR Keyword to specify generated direction radials for the polar network.
Dirnum Number of directions used to define the polar system.
Dirini Starting direction of the polar system.
Dirinc Increment (in degrees) for defining directions.
ELEV Keyword to specify that receptor elevations follow.
Dir Indicates which direction is being input.
Zelev An array of receptor terrain elevations for a particular direction radial.
HILL Keyword to specify that hill height scales follow.
Row Indicates which row (y-coordinate fixed) is being input.
Zhill An array of hill height scales for a particular Row Keyword to specify that
flagpole receptor heights follow.
FLAG Keyword to specify that flagpole receptor heights follow.
Dir Indicates which direction is being input.
Zflag An array of receptor heights above local terrain elevation for a particular
direction (flagpole receptors).
END Indicates END of GRIDPOLR subpathway, repeat for each new Netid.
DISCCART Xcoord Ycoord (Zelev Zhill) (Zflag)
where: Xcoord local x-coordinate for discrete receptor location (m).
Ycoord local y-coordinate for discrete receptor location (m).
(Zelev) Elevation above sea level for discrete receptor location (optional), used
only for ELEV terrain.
(Zhill) Hill height scale (optional).
(Zflag) Receptor height (flagpole) above local terrain (optional), used only with
FLAGPOLE keyword.
DISCPOLR Srcid Dist Direct (Zelev Zhill) (Zflag)
26
Keyword Parameters
where: Srcid Specifies source identification for which discrete polar receptor locations
apply (used to define the origin for the discrete polar receptor).
Dist Downwind distance to receptor location (m).
Direct Direction to receptor location, in degrees clockwise from North.
(Zelev) Elevation above sea level for receptor location (optional), used only for
ELEV terrain.
(Zhill) Hill height scale (optional).
(Zflag) Receptor height (flagpole) above local terrain (optional), used only with
FLAGPOLE keyword.
EVALCART Xcoord Ycoord Zelev Zhill Zflag Arcid (Name)
where: Xcoord Local x-coordinate for discrete receptor location (m).
Ycoord Local y-coordinate for discrete receptor location (m).
Zelev Elevation above sea level for discrete receptor location (optional), used
only for ELEV terrain.
Zhill Hill height scale (m).
Zflag Receptor height (flagpole) above local terrain (optional), used only with
FLAGPOLE keyword.
Arcid Receptor arc ID used to group receptors along an arc or other grouping
(up to eight characters).
(Name) Optional name for receptor (up to eight characters).
INCLUDED RecIncFile
where: RecIncFile Identifies the filename for the included receptor file, up to 200 characters
in length; double quotes (“) may be used as delimiters for the filename
to allow for embedded spaces; quotes don’t count toward the limit of
200.

27
 SUMMARY OF METEOROLOGY PATHWAY KEYWORDS AND PARAMETERS

Keyword Parameters
SURFFILE Sfcfil
where: Sfcfil Specify filename for surface meteorological input file
Note: FREE format is used for all SURFFILE reads beginning
with version 09292.
PROFFILE Profil
where: Profil Specify filename for profile meteorological input file
Note: FREE format is used for all PROFFILE reads beginning
with version 09292.
SURFDATA Stanum Year (Name) (Xcoord Ycoord)
where: Stanum Station number, e.g., 5-digit WBAN number for NWS station.
Year Year of data being processed (four digits).
(Name) Station name (optional).
(Xcoord) x-coordinate of station location (m) (optional).
(Ycoord) y-coordinate of station location (m) (optional).
UAIRDATA Stanum Year (Name) (Xcoord Ycoord)
where: Stanum Station number, e.g., 5-digit WBAN number for NWS station.
Year Year of data being processed (four digits).
(Name) Station name (optional).
(Xcoord) x-coordinate of station location (m) (optional).
(Ycoord) y-coordinate of station location (m) (optional).
SITEDATA Stanum Year (Name) (Xcoord Ycoord)
where: Stanum Station number for on-site meteorological data station.
Year Year of data being processed (four digits).
(Name) Station name (optional).
(Xcoord) x-coordinate of station location (m) (optional).
(Ycoord) y-coordinate of station location (m) (optional).
PROFBASE BaseElev (Units)
where: BaseElev Base elevation (above MSL) for the potential temperature profile.
(Units) Units of BaseElev: METERS or FEET (default is METERS).
STARTEND Strtyr Strtmn Strtdy (Strthr) Endyr Endmn Enddy (Endhr)
where: Strtyr Year of first record to be read.
Strtmn Month of first record to be read.
Strtdy Day of first record to be read.
(Strthr) Hour of first record to be read (optional).
Endyr Year of last record to be read.
Endmn Month of last record to be read.
Enddy Day of last record to be read.
(Endhr) Hour of last record to be read (optional).

28
Keyword Parameters
Note: File read begins with hour 1 of the start date and ends with
hour 24 of the end date if Stahr and Endhr are omitted.
DAYRANGE Range1 Range2 Range3 ... RangeN
where: Range1 First range of days to process, either as individual day (XXX) or as
range (XXX-YYY); days may be input as Julian dates (XXX) or
as month and day (XX/YY).
RangeN The 'N-th' range of days to process.
NUMYEARS NumYrs
where: NumYrs Specifies the number of years of meteorological data being
processed for purposes of allocating array storage for the OU
MAXDCONT option. A default value of 5 years is assumed if the
optional NUMYEARS keyword is omitted.
NOSA
or
NOSACO
or
NOSAST
or
NOSW
or
NOSWCO No parameters or secondary keywords
or
NOSWST
or
NOTURB
or
NOTURBCO
or
NOTURBST
SCIMBYHR NRegStart NRegInt (SfcFilnam PflFilnam)
where: NRegStart Specifies the first hour to be sampled with the SCIM option;
required to have a value from 1 to 24.
NRegInt Specifies the sampling interval, in hours.
(SfcFilnam) Optional output file name to list the surface meteorological data for
the sampled hours.
(PflFilnam) Optional output file name to list the profile meteorological data for
the sampled hours.
WDROTATE Rotang
where: Rotang Specifies angle (in degrees) to rotate wind direction measurements
to correct for alignment problems; value of Rotang is subtracted
from WD measurements, i.e., rotation is counterclockwise.
WINDCATS Ws1 Ws2 Ws3 Ws4 Ws5

29
Keyword Parameters
where: Ws1 Upper bound of first wind speed category (m/s).
Ws2 Upper bound of second wind speed category (m/s).
Ws3 Upper bound of third wind speed category (m/s).
Ws4 Upper bound of fourth wind speed category (m/s).
Ws5 Upper bound of fifth wind speed category (m/s).
(sixth category is assumed to have no upper bound).

30
 SUMMARY OF EVENT PATHWAY KEYWORDS AND PARAMETERS

Keyword Parameters
EVENTPER Evname Aveper Grpid Date Conc
where: Name Specify name of event to be processed (e.g., H002H24ALL), (up to
ten alphanumeric characters).
Grpid Specify source group ID for event.
Aveper Specify averaging period for event.
Date Specify data period for event (ending YYMMDDHH for averaging
period).
Conc Specifies the concentration value generated during the initial non-
EVENT processing.
EVENTLOC Evname XR= Xr YR= Yr (Zelev Zhill) (Zflag)
or
RNG= Rng DIR= Dir (Zelev Zhill) (Zflag)
where: Evname Specify name of event to be processed (e.g., H002H24ALL), (up to
ten alphanumeric characters).
XR= X-coordinate for event (discrete Cartesian receptor).
YR= Y-coordinate for event (discrete Cartesian receptor).
RNG= Distance range for event (discrete polar receptor).
DIR= Radial direction for event (discrete polar receptor).
(Zelev) Terrain elevation for event (optional).
(Zhill) Hill height scale (optional).
(Zflag) Receptor height above ground for event (optional).
INCLUDED EventIncFile
where: EventIncFile Identifies the filename for the included EVENT file, up to 200
characters in length; double quotes (“) may be used as delimiters for
the filename to allow for embedded spaces; and quotes don’t count
toward the limit of 200.

Note: EVENT locations can be input as either discrete Cartesian receptors (XR=, YR=) or as discrete polar
receptors (RNG=, DIR=). Events that are specified in the file generated by the AERMOD model (CO
EVENTFIL card) are always given as discrete Cartesian coordinates. Discrete polar receptors are assumed to
be relative to an origin of (0,0).

31
 SUMMARY OF OUTPUT PATHWAY KEYWORDS AND PARAMETERS

Keyword Parameters
RECTABLE Aveper FIRST SECOND . . . SIXTH . . . TENTH and/or
Aveper 1ST 2ND . . . 6TH . . . 10TH and/or
Aveper 1 2 ... 6 ... 10 . . . N . . . 999
where: Aveper Averaging period to summarize with high values (keyword
ALLAVE specifies all short-term averaging periods).
FIRST Select summaries of FIRST highest values by receptor.
SECOND Select summaries of SECOND highest values by receptor.
SIXTH Select summaries of SIXTH highest values by receptor.
1ST Select summaries of 1ST highest values by receptor.
2ND Select summaries of 2ND highest values by receptor.
6TH Select summaries of 6TH highest values by receptor.
N Select summaries of N-th highest values by receptor (up to 999-th
highest values).

Note:
If two parameters are input separated by a dash (e.g.
FIRST-THIRD or 4-12), then summaries of all high
ranked values within that range (inclusive) are provided.

If the CO EVENTFIL keyword is exercised, then the

events generated by the RECTABLE keyword are included
in the input file for EVENT model.

The range of ranks specified on the RECTABLE keyword

(but not the individual ranks specified) also determines
the range of ranks that may be considered with the
MAXDCONT option.
MAXTABLE Aveper Maxnum
where: Aveper Averaging period to summarize with overall maximum values
(keyword ALLAVE specifies all averaging periods).
Maxnum Specifies number of overall maximum values to summarize .
DAYTABLE Avper1 Avper2 Avper3 . . .
where: Avper1 Averaging period, e.g., 24 for 24-hr averages, to summarize with
values by receptor for each day of data processed (keyword
ALLAVE for first parameter specifies all averaging periods).
MAXIFILE Aveper GrpID Thresh Filnam (Funit)
where: Aveper Specifies averaging period for list of values equal to or exceeding a
threshold value.
GrpID Specifies source group to be output to file.
Thresh Threshold value (e.g., NAAQS) for list of exceedances.
Filnam Name of disk file to store maximum values.
Funit Optional parameter to specify the file unit.

32
Keyword Parameters

Note:
If the CO EVENTFIL keyword is exercised, then the events
generated by the MAXIFILE keyword are included in the input
file for EVENT processing.
POSTFILE Aveper GrpID Format Filnam (Funit)
where: Aveper Specifies averaging period to be output to file, e.g., 24 for 24-hr
averages, PERIOD for period averages.
GrpID Specifies source group to be output to file.
Format Specifies format of file, either UNFORM for unformatted files or
PLOT for formatted files for plotting.
Filnam Specifies filename for output file.
Funit Optional parameter to specify the file unit.
PLOTFILE Aveper GrpID Hivalu Filnam (Funit) (Short-Term values)
Aveper GrpID Filnam (Funit) (PERIOD or ANNUAL averages)
where: Aveper Specifies averaging period to be output to file, e.g., 24 for 24-hr
averages, PERIOD for period averages, etc.
GrpID Specifies source group to be output to file.
Hivalu Specifies rank to be included in high value summary (e.g., FIRST,
SECOND, 1ST, 2ND, etc.) to be output to file (the rank must be
included on the RECTABLE card).
Filnam Specifies filename for output file.
Funit Optional parameter to specify the file unit.
TOXXFILE Aveper Cutoff Filnam (Funit)
where: Aveper Specifies averaging period to be output to file, e.g., 1 for 1-hr
averages.
Cutoff Specifies cutoff (threshold) value in g/m3 for outputting results for
AERMOD model.
Filnam Specifies filename for output file.
Funit Optional parameter to specify the file unit.
RANKFILE Aveper Hinum Filnam (Funit)
where: Aveper Specifies averaging period to be output to file, e.g., 24 for 24-hr
averages.
Hinum Specifies the number of high values to be ranked.
Filnam Specifies filename for output file.
Funit Optional parameter to specify the file unit.
EVALFILE SrcID Filnam (Funit)
where: SrcID Specifies the source ID to be output to file.
Filnam Specifies filename for output file.
Funit Optional parameter to specify the file unit.
SEASONHR GrpID FileName (FileUnit)

33
Keyword Parameters
where: GrpID Specifies the source group ID to be output to file.
FileName Specifies filename for output file.
(FileUnit) Optional parameter to specify file unit.
MAXDAILY GrpID FileName (FileUnit)
where: GrpID Specifies the source group ID to be output to file.
FileName Specifies filename for output file.
(FileUnit) Optional parameter to specify file unit.
MXDYBYYR GrpID FileName (FileUnit)
where: GrpID Specifies the source group ID to be output to file.
FileName Specifies filename for output file.
(FileUnit) Optional parameter to specify file unit.
MAXDCONT GrpID UpperRank LowerRank FileName (FileUnit)
or
GrpID UpperRank THRESH ThreshValue FileName (FileUnit)
where: GrpID Specifies the source group ID to be output to file.
UpperRank Upper bound of ranks to evaluate for contributions.
LowerRank Lower bound of ranks to evaluate for contributions (note that lower
rank refers to lower concentrations and higher rank refers to
higher concentrations).
NOTE: The UpperRank and LowerRank values must be within
the range of ranks specified on the RECTABLE keyword.
AERMOD will analyze each rank within the range, regardless
of whether the rank is specified explicitly on the RECTABLE
keyword.
THRESH Indicates that a threshold concentration (ThreshValue) will be
specified as a limit on the lower bound rank to process.
ThreshValue Lower threshold value for evaluating contributions; processing will
stop after the first ranked value that is below ThreshValue
NOTE: The ThreshValue analysis will be limited to the range
of ranks specified on the RECTABLE keyword (but not the
individual ranks that are specified). A warning message is
generated if the ThreshValue is not reached within the range of
ranks analyzed.
FileName Specifies filename for output file.
(FileUnit) Optional parameter to specify file unit.

Note:
The range of ranks specified on the RECTABLE keyword
(but not the individual ranks specified) also determines
the range of ranks that may be considered with the
MAXDCONT option, even with the THRESH option.
SUMMFILE SummFileName
where: SummFileName Specifies filename of output summary file

34
Keyword Parameters
FILEFORM EXP or FIX
where: EXP Specifies that the output results files will use EXPonential-
formatted values.
FIX Specifies that the output results files will use FIXed-formatted
values (fixed-formatted values will be used if FILEFORM is
omitted).
NOHEADER FileType1 FileType2 FileType3 . . . FileTypeN
or
ALL
where: FileTypeN Specifies the output file type(s) for which header records will be
suppressed; includes the following file types:
POSTFILE, PLOTFILE, MAXIFILE, RANKFILE,
SEASONHR, MAXDAILY, MXDYBYYR, and MAXDCONT.
ALL Specifies that header records will be suppressed for ALL applicable
output file types.
EVENTOUT SOCONT or DETAIL [EVENT Only]
where: SOCONT Provide source contribution information only in the event output.
DETAIL Include hourly concentrations for each source and hourly
meteorological data in the event output

35