Scientists in Utah have taken it upon themselves to create a system that measures air pollution in real-time. They plan to place them near schools and other paces tend to leave their cars idle. They hope it will encourage people to turn off their cars while they wait and maybe even take other cautionary measures to avoid excess air pollution. Additionally, they plan to help children, as well as people with respiratory conditions, avoid heavily polluted areas.
The Strategy
The current plan is the build signs similar to speed limit signs that show current speed. However, these signs will display the current air pollution in the area. Kerry Kelly, a chemical engineering assistant professor at the University of Utah, made multiple statements regarding the project. Currently, she is focused on locations where many cars sit while on such as airports or hospitals. “These are all places where you have a number of idling vehicles,” said Kelly. “This is particularly important for children. They are a lot shorter. So, they are much closer to the elevation of a tailpipe.”
The system will have an LED display with the current air pollution value on it, to encourage people to turn off their cars when they are not needed. “We would have sensors located around where the vehicles are parked, and where people are out and breathing,” Kelly explained. “I think it’s a really good project for us and our community because as we work towards further improving our air quality, a lot of what’s going to happen is going to be choices that we make as individuals and together as a community,” she also said. It seems to be a step towards the future of the Earth and a step against climate change. Hopefully, other states will create similar projects.
Written by Joseph Nelson
Source:
KSL: Utah scientists receive grant to test real-time air pollution warning system; Jed Boul
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