Smart sensors for smart highways: developing a clean technology for measuring air quality on highways

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Air pollution, the world's largest environmental burden on health, is associated with 7 million premature deaths every year globally. Comprehensive and accurate air quality monitoring is the first and most crucial step to controlling air pollution. Many municipalities are adopting smart city programs; sensor-equipped smart cities are expected to emerge over the upcoming decade and relevant infrastructure is being planned and installed. It is anticipated that real-time air monitoring will be an essential part of Canada's future smart city infrastructure. In this research, we will investigate use of low-cost air quality sensors in smart cities and, specifically, their application to create smart highways. Pollution levels are higher near highways especially during rush-hour and on days with stagnant weather. Inexpensive air quality sensors could provide drivers with real time information on air pollution concentrations along highways. These sensor-based smart capabilities would also allow transportation authorities and urban designers to identify and avoid creating locations with poorer air quality in order to better design and operate highways. Incorporation of smart air quality sensors so as to create smart highways will open the door to many new ways to help Canada move towards smart, sustainable, and heathy cities.