Development of a platform for real-time air quality monitoring and mapping****

空气污染传感器的最新发展为收集城市空气污染数据开辟了新的途径。空气污染传感器比传统的分析仪成本更低，由于各种传感器可以随时在城市的不同地区移动，因此可以实现密集的数据收集活动。Scentroid是一家总部位于多伦多的公司，一直在开发基于传感器的城市空气污染监测系统，其功能克服了现有商用传感器的许多局限性。Scentroid系统集成了自校准功能，允许用户远程访问各种诊断，确保系统在现场进行可靠的测量。虽然Scentroid已经开发了读取和解释传感器测量值的强大算法，但该公司对开发用于绘制和可视化传感器读数的数据分析很感兴趣。由多伦多大学Hatzopoulou教授领导的交通和空气质量研究小组在开发空气质量预测模型方面拥有丰富的经验。这一伙伴关系将为双方提供一个巨大的机会，探索新的研究途径，包括城市空气质量的传感和实时测绘。为此，我们建议1)在多伦多设计一个移动数据收集活动，使用安装在移动车辆上的Scentroid传感器单元；2)收集到的数据将用于开发插值算法和实时空气污染制图。如果成功，这项资助将使长期合作成为可能；利用空气质量地图开发一个信息系统，发挥个人暴露顾问的作用。这些应用程序对易受空气污染影响的人至关重要，他们可以获得帮助他们进行日常决策的信息和工具。******

The recent development of air pollution sensors has opened up new ways of collecting air pollution data in urban areas. Air pollution sensors are less costly than traditional analyzers, making it possible to achieve dense data collection campaigns since various sensors could be moving around different parts of a city at all times. Scentroid is a Toronto based company which has been developing sensor-based systems for urban air pollution monitoring with features that overcome many of the limitations of existing commercial sensors. Scentroid systems integrate capability for self-calibration and allow the user to access various diagnostics remotely, ensuring reliable measurements are taken while the system is in the field. While Scentroid has developed robust algorithms for reading and interpreting sensor measurements, the company is interested in developing data analytics for mapping and visualizing sensor readings. The Transportation and Air Quality (TRAQ) research group, led by Prof. Hatzopoulou at the University of Toronto, has extensive experience in the development of air quality prediction models. This partnership will offer both parties a tremendous opportunity to explore a new research avenue which involves sensing and real-time mapping of urban air quality. For this purpose, we propose to 1) design a mobile data collection campaign in Toronto using Scentroid sensor units installed on a moving vehicle; 2) the data collected, will be used to develop algorithms for interpolation and real-time air pollution mapping. If successful, this Engage grant will enable a longer term partnership; using air quality maps to develop an information system that will play the role of a personal exposure advisor. Such applications are critical for persons vulnerable to air pollution, who become empowered with information and tools that assist them in their daily decisions.******