Robust Intelligent Lamp Post (ILP) Sensor Networks for Energy Efficient Transportation Systems
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Civil Engineering and Geosciences
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
- Newcastle University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Svitzer A/S (Collaboration)
- Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (Collaboration)
- Department of Transport (Collaboration)
- Serco (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Collaboration)
- Transport Scotland (Collaboration)
Publications
Bell M
(2013)
Novel wireless pervasive sensor network to improve the understanding of noise in street canyons
in Applied Acoustics
Dheeraj Alshetty V
(2020)
Characteristics of tail pipe (Nitric oxide) and resuspended dust emissions from urban roads - A case study in Delhi city
in Journal of Transport & Health
Galatioto F
(2014)
Understanding the characteristics of the microenvironments in urban street canyons through analysis of pollution measured using a novel pervasive sensor array.
in Environmental monitoring and assessment
Galatioto F
(2013)
Exploring the processes governing roadside pollutant concentrations in urban street canyon.
in Environmental science and pollution research international
Galatioto G
(2011)
Integration of low-cost sensors with UTMC for assessing environmental impacts of traffic in urban area
in 18th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems and ITS America Annual Meeting 2011
Gulliver J
(2015)
Development of an open-source road traffic noise model for exposure assessment
in Environmental Modelling & Software
Kumar P
(2015)
The rise of low-cost sensing for managing air pollution in cities.
in Environment international
Kumar P
(2016)
Indoor air quality and energy management through real-time sensing in commercial buildings
in Energy and Buildings
| Description | Engagement with Envirowatch continues with regular updates on progress. The Alphasense company who make the sensors and in particular the nitrogen dioxide sensor have responded the problems identified by our deployment of the sensors in the field by upgrading the sensor technology. The first deployment in Manchester failed due to prolonged humidity which diluted the electrolyte. Different electrolytes have been used; then the orifice of the sensor was made smaller; cross sensitivity to ozone was drawn to their attention and a filter was fitted; more recently a fourth electrode was added to correct for temperature and humidity but at the expense to sensitivity. TORG have worked alongside the company to develop a solution. The most recent sensor is now 'fit for purpose' and we are currently engaged in a full scale evaluation of sensors in collaboration with colleagues in the Urban Observatory facilities. The research led to further developments in the sensors and the emote system to be driven with and without paper. More specifically (a) identified the need for improvements in the design of the sensor to be fit for purpose for use on the roadside. improvements have been made by the manufacturers in response to our findings so that with work continuing after the Lamppost project a robust sensor has been recently marketed and (b) an emote design has been to include the gateway functionality in the emote technology so that they can be deployed independently of an array of emotes with a gateway. These systems are now useful for indoor measurement as well as for isolated locations, on motorways, in rural areas and residential streets or wherever there is power available. The data from the emotes is much more valuable to the practitioner when simultaneously meteorological conditions and traffic data are measured. It is this aspect that continues in collaboration with Amey consulting, activities that were crucially initiated during the lamppost project. |
| Exploitation Route | There are many other pervasive sensor manufacturers internationally now benefiting from our work supporting Envirowatch on the evaluation of sensors as they are now manufactured with substantial improvement which will benefit all who purchase them. Envirowatch have taken steps to have their particular input to this issue recognised. TORG have facilitated the colocation of precision with the emote and Jeff Neasham from the Electrical Engineering at Newcastle University is responsible for the delivery of the system technology. The emotes continue to monitor pollution in the Urban Observatory and validation exercises continue. Meetings are planned with other manufacturers keen to use the facilities of the urban environment to validate their sensors. |
| Sectors | Environment Government Democracy and Justice Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Transport |
| Description | The LAMPPOST research further developed the e-mote technology pioneered in the MESSAGE project. The algorithms used to calibrate for both humidity and temperature were further refined. The development of the system to accommodate the ozone sensor helped measure the cross sensitivity of the nitrogen dioxide sensor to ozone. New sensor technology was released by the manufacturer and they were found to fail at high levels of humidity experienced in Manchester. Knowledge acquired during the LAMPPOST helped to prove the need to address the dilution of the electrolyte due t0o high humidity. In more recent years we have supported the calibration the series of new generation sensors in collaboration with the spin out company of the MESSAGE project Envirowatch. As a result Alphasense have responded with a fit-for-purpose sensor with a guarantee limit of 80% maximum humidity and Envirowatch have modified their funding model to replace the sensors regularly each 6months (as opposed to 18m-24m previously) Engagement with Envirowatch continues with regular updates on progress. The Alphasense company who make the sensors and in particular the nitrogen dioxide sensor have responded the problems identified by our deployment of the sensors in the field by upgrading the sensor technology. The first deployment in Manchester failed due to prolonged humidity which diluted the electrolyte. Different electrolytes have been used; then the orifice of the sensor was made smaller; cross sensitivity to ozone was drawn to their attention and a filter was fitted; more recently a fourth electrode was added to correct for temperature ad humidity but at the expense to sensitivity. TORG have worked alongside the company to develop a solution. The most recent sensor is now 'fit for purpose' and we are currently engaged in a full scale evaluation of sensors in collaboration with colleagues in the Urban Observatory facilities. Other engagement activity has included IAA KTS Secondment to Amey Plc Beneficiaries: Amey Plc Contribution Method: Involves setting up of the NUIDAP Newcastle University integrated database and assessment platform on the Tyne and Wear UTMC. Start Date: 01.11.14. End Date: 30.09.15 IAA KTS Secondment Margaret Bell September 2016 - 28 February 2017 with Amey to engage with potential users of NUIDAP to understand how the interface needs to be tailored to provide the information needed by the traffic engineers and air quality officers to deliver their responsibilities. Engagement was one to one meetings with Birmingham, Calderdale, Newcastle, Gateshead, Medway, Transport for London, Plymouth and Transport for Scotland and workshops, and seminars hosted by Transport for Scotland (60+) Arup Leeds (20+) and Newcastle (40+). PhD student Marouf S, carried out a systematic calibration of the noise sensor in the Emote marketed by Envirowatch, the spin-out company of Newcastle University, and used it to explore in depth the probability density functions of noise changing along a street and at junctions within urban environments across Newcastle. This work was taken further to use the NUIDAP database platform to develop algorithms to predict the noise levels every five minutes at different positions along the road, namely acceleration away from the junction, cruising mid-link and queuing on the approach to a junction. This in the future will allow noise exposure of people living in urban areas to be more accurately estimated using the data available as a by-product of SCOOT and the CNOSSUS model. Indeed Shadman Marouf has submitted and successfully defended her thesis. Correction algorithms have been created and used to validate data collected previously. The modelling approach allows real-time estimates (every five minutes) of noise to be predicted in three areas of the road namely acceleration, cruising and queuing, in advance of signalised junction. Detail have been discussed with Amey Consulting and subject to funding may be coded in AQATANE the commercial version of NUIDAP. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Environment,Transport |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Contribution to Undergraduate Teaching Module Durham University. Gave a full day of lectures to MEng students in their Final year. Funded by Durham University, contributed to revision prior to exams. Material from the SECURE and Lamppost projects was shared with the students providing the key message that radical changes of transport provision in the future is essential to deliver sustainability and how pervasive sensors can help understand traffic related problems and develop interventions. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Workshop for KT attendees Transport Scotland, TRL |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | The use of the eMotes and the database developed to compare the emote data with traffic and environment to reveal solutions to traffic related pollution hotspots. Workshops seminars ITS(UK) SEIG activity had led to many local authorities being influenced in the ways in which they manage air quality episodes. Issues relating to current traffic management and transport policy seems to tie the hands of the engineers with who we come into contact and changes are very slow. In Transport Scotland however and integrated approach has meant that through my engagement activities TS and SEPA have adopted much of the IPR transferred to them. |
| Description | AQATANE Air Quality Analytics for Traffic Management in Newcastle |
| Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department of Transport |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2015 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account research sabbatical |
| Amount | £25,969 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2014 |
| End | 10/2014 |
| Description | Ricardo Group |
| Amount | £26,120 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Tender ref. 041 |
| Organisation | Ricardo UK Ltd |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2012 |
| End | 03/2015 |
| Description | Ricardo Group |
| Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Tender ref. 041 |
| Organisation | Ricardo UK Ltd |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2012 |
| End | 05/2013 |
| Description | DEFRA |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Department for Transport |
| Organisation | Department of Transport |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Met regularly and discussed output of the project and opened up channels of communication with other colleagues. Outputs help fundamental understanding which in turn helped steer policy and influence decision making at National Level. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Graham Pendlebury Chaired the Advisory group of the SECURE and was proactive in promoting the SECURE project. Gave presentations to the ITS(UK) Smart Environment Interest Group Conferences which gave further outreach to the project. His effective Chairmanship managed the commitment of the other 13 stakeholders who were contracted to this project. Contact was established at the pre- proposal stage of the project and therefore could be identified and named in the proposal. I have been engaged with the Department of Transport since the mid 1970s but as the research changes collaboration is established with different individuals and divisions within DfT. |
| Impact | In 2016 invited to review a paper on emissions following the Volkswagen scandal Transport and environment embracing air quality and climate change. |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Responding to the invitation to have input to the PIARC report on Approaches to Air Quality in relation to road operations. |
| Organisation | Transport Scotland |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | By raising awareness of sources of emissions and how they disperse in the urban environment and tactical and strategic solutions using ITS presented to the PIARC Working Group the ensuing knowledge influenced the writing of the report. Following on from the presentation given in November 2017 at the joint meeting of the ITS(UK) SEIG and the PIARC World Road Association air quality groups, Bell was invited to provide input to and feedback on the PIARC Working Group 1 of Technical Committee 3.2 report "Approaches to Air Quality in Relation to Road Operations" which included the Role of Intelligent Transport Systems and Case Studies. Case studies contributed include the Demonstration of the NUIDAP in AQATANE and Tactical and strategic management that emerged from research funded by the EU in the fifth Framework which built on earlier SRC/EPSRC research funded during the 1987-1997 period in the days when Bell was lecturer/senior lecturer at Nottingham University and Directed the Instrumented City funded by the SERC/EPSRC. Research outputs were shared also from earlier projects funded by the EPSRC in the period 1997-2007 whilst senior lecturer/professor at Leeds University including the real-world emissions measurements, driver behaviour and canyon modelling.. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sharing the goals of the report and a wider view of non technological approaches to delivering solutions to air quality problems. |
| Impact | Contribution to their reports. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | SERCO |
| Organisation | SERCO |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Scottish Environment Protection Agency |
| Organisation | Scottish Environment Protection Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Invitation from Scottish Environment Protection Agency to carry out a Review of the Aberdeen Air Quality Modelling Pilot Project. Provided substantial feedback and a Final Report May 2017. This invitation resulted from a long standing collaboration and engagement if research projects and sharing and transfer of knowledge from MESSAGE Lamppost and SECURE since 2007 |
| Collaborator Contribution | N/A |
| Impact | The EPA produced an updated version of the Aberdeen Air Quality Modelling Pilot Project report |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Sensor trial in Port ship |
| Organisation | Svitzer A/S |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Established preliminary agreement with Svitzer to deploy a mote sensor array on board of a ship in Tees port. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Title | Algorithms developed by Newcastle University for the real-time prediction of congestion sensitive emissions algorithms embedded in the NUIDAP, Newcastle University Integrated Database and Assessment Platform. In addition the Statistical Analysis Module which identifies outlier days so that impact assessments of intereventions can be comprehensively evaluated. The Hazard model has also been coded which means that the long |
| Description | These algorithms were developed over many years mainly based on EPSRC research. They have been incorporated in the NUIDAP the IPR of which has been transferred to the Amey Company by way of successive EPSRC funded Impact Acceleration Awards over recent years. As a result of the recent secondment it is anticipated that real-world applications will arise in the next year. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Protection not required |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | These algorithms have been applied in Medway, Stockport and Newcastle and a much richer understanding of the causes of pollution have been gained. This has allowed improved action planning to deliver solutions which address and better manage air quality. The biggest barrier is the current political environment and a reluctance of the general public to take steps to change their behaviours. |
| Company Name | Envirowatch Limited |
| Description | Envirowatch Ltd offers environmental monitoring solutions through the use of their HEARKEN IoT, E-MOTE, iPM, NoiseMOTE, HydroMOTE, and SoilMOTE products. |
| Year Established | 2009 |
| Impact | Continued close relationship with this Envirowatch to overcome set backs due to the Alphasense sensors proving not to be fit for purpose. Product has been modified in response to user needs to have its own GPRS SIM card to be a standalone system for application on motorways, indoors, garages etc; application within railway stations; validation and self correction algorithms for noise developed as a result of a PhD project funded by the Iraq Government. |
| Website | http://www.envirowatch.ltd.uk |
| Description | "Air Quality Management - Taking the Poison out of Motoring?" hosted by ICE Transport PIN - Wed 17th Jan 2018, Aecom, Chesterfield |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Trials and Tribulations of delivering acceptable levels of Air Quality and reaching Carbon targets Research funded, mainly by the EPSRC (including Instrumented City LANTERN, FUTURES, 4M, MESSAGE, PhD studentships), and more recently in the SECURE project have provided the understanding of the sources, causes and the solutions to resolving air pollution whilst also delivering lower carbon emissions. This presentation was designed to share these outputs with the Civil Engineering profession so that they appreciate the radical changes needed to deliver win-win for climate change. This involves changes in public attitudes and behaviour - which can be influenced by the design of the built environment and appropriate changes to land use. Hence my eagerness to give this presentation. The abstract for the presentation was Even though vehicle technologies become ever more efficient and sophisticated, unintended consequences result in different air quality problems. Also, it is increasingly the case that the most inefficient and variable component in the modern passenger car is the driver. This presentation investigates variability in driver behaviour and seeks to quantify their effects. In the quest of driving down carbon dioxide with new technologies and introducing renewable fuels the impacts on air quality have not always been beneficial. Results of research quantifying the impacts of intervention measures to address air quality at local, city and regional scale are presented to demonstrate that success requires an integrated approach of several measures coupled with behavioural change. Issues and conflicts in trying to deliver policies that address both climate change and air quality impacts will be presented and concludes that in essence demand management is likely to be the only way forward. This presentation will be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders, Local Authorities, traffic engineers, planners, bus operators, consultants, vehicle manufacturers and decision makers. In addition, the paper will be informative for politicians and the general public. The global aim of the presentation is to deliver an understanding of the fundamentals of air quality and thus to illustrate positive ways in which simple changes in behaviour and adopting alternative transport choices can take the poison out of motoring, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.ice.org.uk/eventarchive/air-quality-management-chesterfield |
| Description | 7th Smart Environment Interest Group Conference" ITS and Air Quality : Taking Stock" Wednesday 15th November 2017, 11:00-16:00 Hosted by Amey The Colmore Building, 20 Colmore Circus, Queensway, Birmingham |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As founder (in 2000) and Chair of the ITS(UK) Smart Interest group we hold seminars and conferences to raise awareness of research and activity in the specific area of how intelligent transport systems deliver environmental impact. This forum has been the channel of communication of all the research carried out in my research group and can be claimed to have substantially influenced the way in which technology has been developed used and impacts evaluated. In particular this forum over the years has led to Transport Scotland with SEPA delivering a monitoring and modelling framework across Scotland. Amey hosted this conference and gave a presentation on the outputs from the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Secondment strengthening the collaboration between Amey and Newcastle University by exploiting the Newcastle University Integrated Database and Assessment Platform which was initially developed in MESSAGE enhanced in Lamppost and exploited since through three IAA awards. The commercial product AQATANE was demonstrated in the project of that name funded by the DfT. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invitation from the Prescot Parish Church Mother's Union to give a presentation on "Pollution" on 8th November 2017 held at the Church Hall Prescot Merseyside. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | By request I set the scene with a short introduction of my career and how I progressed my education from being a pupil at the local Senior (then Grammar) School to being awarded the CBE. The presentation then provided in a very simple terms the sources, causes and challenges of tackling the transport related pollution. The key messages which emerged from the research outputs I described allowed me to present some advice as follows: Think twice about using the car; Use non-motorised modes especially for short trips; Use public transport (your LA and Bus companies are investing in Clean Buses); Chose Local shops/Schools and walk/cycle; Ride share and offer to collect other's shopping; Reduce the need to travel by motorised vehicles; Adopt Eco driving styles if you must drive-be cooperate/considerate when driving and lastly Live close to work and walk. The audience ranged in ages from early thirties to over ninety and over 40 were in attendance. I used dried peas in plastic boxes to demonstrate concepts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation-Newc-Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation in mathematics group in Aston university on the topic of Mathematical Challenges in the Forecasting of Environmental Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Approaches, 30th September 2013. Mainly researchers and academics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Professional engagement-NEWC-TfS and SEPA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ITS(UK) SEIG Chair meeting in London; Organised. Attended full day of SEIG Seminar hosted in Edinburgh by Transport Scotland October 2014 and SEPA. Member of the Air Quality Management Group for Scotland. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Workshop-ENNA-Summer SChool |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Over three days presentations on sustainable transport to postgraduates MSc and PhD; tour around laboratories and face to face research discussion. Three staff attended. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |