Exploring the Utility of the Random Forest Method for Forecasting Ozone Pollution in SYDNEY

This paper explores the utility of an ensemble decision-tree method called random forest, in comparison with the classic classification and regression trees (CART) algorithm, for forecasting ground-level ozone pollution in the Sydney metropolitan region. Statistical forecasting models are developed to provide daily ozone forecasts in November-March for three subregions, i.e., Sydney east, Sydney south-west and Sydney north-west. The random forest models are evaluated in reference to the single decision-tree models developed from the classic CART algorithm. The results show that the random forest models outperform the CART models for forecasting high ozone pollution in Sydney south-west and Sydney north-west, the areas where the highest ozone pollution are observed. The random forest models also show a lift in forecasting skills in Sydney south-west if compared to the existing forecasting practice for the basin as a whole. These results suggest that random forest is a promising method for air quality forecasting in Sydney. This study promotes the application of a statistical ensemble approach to air quality forecasting.