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

空气污染是世界上对健康造成的最大环境负担，全球每年有700万人过早死亡。全面准确的空气质量监测是治理大气污染的第一步，也是最关键的一步。许多城市正在采用智能城市计划；配备传感器的智能城市预计将在未来十年出现，相关基础设施正在规划和安装中。预计实时空气监测将成为加拿大未来智能城市基础设施的重要组成部分。在这项研究中，我们将调查低成本空气质量传感器在智能城市中的使用，特别是它们在创建智能高速公路方面的应用。高速公路附近的污染水平更高，特别是在高峰时间和天气停滞的日子。廉价的空气质量传感器可以为司机提供高速公路沿线空气污染浓度的实时信息。这些基于传感器的智能能力还将使交通当局和城市设计师能够识别和避免创建空气质量较差的地点，以便更好地设计和运营高速公路。融入智能空气质量传感器以创建智能高速公路将打开许多新方法的大门，帮助加拿大走向智能、可持续和健康的城市。

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.