Combining measurements of traffic flows and air quality

Source: Urban ICT Arena Published: January 2021

Planning new traffic solutions and evaluating the effectiveness of changes made to the current environment requires data. In order to provide this, continuous measurements of traffic and the direct and indirect effects of traffic on the urban environment are necessary. By gathering relevant data and analysing them, city authorities may receive better support and bases for decisions, in turn leading to efforts that may lower pollution and reduce noise in the urban environment.

In this project, Edeva shows how combining several data sources at a fixed position in the test bed on Kistagången can contribute to more informed decisions for traffic management. Mounted on a light pole, the sensors measure traffic flow through radar and multi-sensor data, air quality in the form of particles, and noise. Analysing the data provided also makes it possible to draw conclusions about the effects of the traffic.

The goal is to supply a comprehensive solution to provide municipalities and city authorities with data. This in turn will help with a more robust decision-making process. Measuring both traffic and the direct and indirect effects of that traffic provides better data which makes it possible to measure the effects of introduced solutions and measures to improve air quality and the general quality of the urban environment.

The combination of sensors may also provide insights into the effects of different types of traffic on the urban environment and air quality. The effects of traffic control on air quality and environment will also be measurable. In addition, the tests will provide data on how sensors behave in different conditions, such as light or weather. All in all, this trial will provide valuable data on how to create a secure, stable and cost-efficient solution for data gathering in the future.

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Photo by Eilis Garvey on Unsplash