Sensor can spot automobiles emitting high levels of pollution

Spotted: Automobiles that emit unhealthy exhaust fumes could soon be uncovered by an unmanned sensor that is currently in production.  It is being developed by a team at Austria’s Graz University of Technology in conjunction with the European City Air Remote Emission Sensing (CARES) project. 

When placed on the roadside, the sensor measures emission levels from each vehicle that passes by. The goal is to reduce emissions in cities and environmental zones in real-time without disrupting the flow of traffic.  

The sensor looks like a tuning fork with two tines. The tines vibrate when exhaust particles from a vehicle pass between the tines. The particles in the exhaust create a vibration that leads to a sound. The higher the number of particles in the exhaust, the louder the sound will be, indicating higher unhealthy emissions.

The production team seeks to have the sensors available by the end of 2022. They will be installed in cities that are affiliated with CARES such as Milan, Prague, and Kraków. If combined with a camera that records the vehicle license plate information, owners that are found in violation of the emissions regulations could receive a ticket, have their vehicle seized, or be prohibited from entering the area.  

Springwise has spotted other innovations in working to reduce automobile emissions, such as a smart tire that reduces air pollution and a subscription service that offers sustainable mobility options. 

23rd August 2019

Email: alexander.bergmann@tugraz.at

Website: tugraz.at

Source: New feed 1