By Jessica Zimmerman

Suffolk, Va. (September 30, 2022) –  The Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center (VMASC) participated in the inaugural Hampton Roads Datathon, September 9-16, 2022. Keeping in line with the Datathon theme of Analyzing, Promoting and Protecting Biodiversity in Hampton Roads, the VMASC team created three different tools to provide visualization, modeling, and analytics to explore the benefits provided by significant trees in Norfolk, VA.

“The VMASC team modeled how trees in Norfolk provide shade that reduces the temperature residents feel as they walk from home to work or to one of the city parks during a hot summer afternoon,” said Dr. Ross Gore, Research Associate Professor for VMASC. “The model highlights areas in the city where residents are exposed to extreme temperatures, due to a lack of tree shade, as they navigate the city.”

With only a week to work, the team used QGIS – a free and open-source geographic information system – to create visual representations of the Significant trees and the city’s future planned tree plantings by census tracts – or subdivisions of the county. Secondly, they used a simulation model of exposures to simulate the effects of people traveling through Norfolk on a hot day and explore the effects of the Significant Trees on the perceived heat within the census tracts. Lastly, the team conducted two types of analyses on the data: descriptive statistics representation and an assessment of the simulation outcomes for the tested scenarios.

“The VMASC Team showed tremendous enthusiasm, cohesion, and quick thinking as part of our participation in the first ever Hampton Roads Datathon for Biodiversity,” said Dr. Christopher Lynch, Lead Project Scientist for VMASC. “We had a great time exploring the Significant Trees dataset for Norfolk and simulating the effects of shade within the region. We look forward to refining our process for future datathons!”

Overall, the event provided the team with an opportunity to share their findings with city officials and identify a plan to collaborate and address the issue going forward.

All those who participated on the VMASC team are really looking forward to next year’s Datathon. “It was really fun, and I can’t wait for next year,” said Kevin O’Brien, Computer Systems Analyst for VMASC. “I really want the chance to win the Datathon Championship Belt!”

The team received honorable mention for their accomplishments and awarded them 4th place out of 15 participating teams.

Click HERE to see the map, model, data, and team members.