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Satellite-Enabled Air Pollution Monitoring for Public Health

Solution Overview

The Urban Healthy Living pilot was funded by the UK Space Agency's Space for Smarter Government Programme, which adapts satellite-enabled air pollution monitoring to support public health programmes and healthcare delivery in an urban setting.[3][4][5] Belfast is part of a joint project funded by the UK Space Agency's Space for Smarter Government that's using satellite technology to help planners and residents better understand urban air pollution.[2] The project demonstrated the use of a space-enabled technology for traffic related air pollution monitoring and aimed to spur innovative interventions in healthy living and disease prevention.[3]

Technical Components

Working in both Belfast and the English town of Bicester, the team uses machine vision cameras and air quality sensors to gather traffic and air quality data.[2] The project focuses on levels of nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 and PM10.[2] Using a blend of technology, the project produced air pollution models that were visualised on 3D maps, making complex information accessible.[3] In Belfast this monitoring occurs along the Westlink, Albert Bridge and Ormeau Road.[2] Dowds Group were asked to provide a monitoring strategy for the proposed air quality monitoring at Belfast Transport Hub.[1]

Implementation Details

The project is being delivered by a collaborative network of SMEs that includes Geospatial insight, Earthsense, 3DEO and Redshift.[2] Facilitated by Professor Alan Wells, the project also includes NI Government Departments, health officials and council staff, including Belfast's air quality officers and Smart Belfast consultants.[2] Working with clinicians from the Belfast Health Trust, the team studies the relationship between local air quality and respiratory and circulatory diseases, and with Type II diabetes.[2] The team examines the impact of the 'school run' on local air quality particularly along walking, cycling and bus routes.[2]

Benefits and Impacts

The initiative prototyped a routing map that could allow clinical patients to better self-manage their respiratory conditions by selecting the routes and modes of transport that limit their exposure to pollutants.[3] Perhaps using a phone app, the project allows residents to make more informed choices about cycling and walking routes.[2] The project's research led to some important conclusions which are highly relevant for policy makers and city planners; that air pollution hovers long after traffic dissipates, and that weather is a determining factor.[3] Those with COPD and asthma are much more severely affected by air pollution levels, and air pollution is increasingly linked with non-respiratory diseases including diabetes and reduced cognitive function.[3]

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