Dyanmic Air Quality Management with Variable Mandatory Speed Limitation

This project aims to improve air quality in local communities by dynamically changing the speed limit on Highways England’s Strategic Road Network (SRN). This proposal uses existing smart motorway infrastructure, allowing Highways England to make better use of existing traffic flow systems to reduce the effects of poor air quality on health. This project will only introduce flow management when poor air quality is predicted. This is done by measuring traffic congestion, weather conditions and pollution levels, and then modelling how pollution disperses through communities located near major roads. We will install a network of 40 air quality sensors over a small area. These sensors report data back every minute. By introducing a large number of high frequency air quality sensors, we will be able to determine how varying the speed limit can improve air quality for local communities. The recent growth in internet of things (IoT) devices, as well as policies to make data more open and accessible, means that data can readily be used to predict how air quality can change at a much higher temporal and spatial resolution than previous modelling allowed. We will use traffic data from Highways England, weather data from nearly 6,000 sites provided by the Met Office, and our air quality sensors, to deliver air quality predictions at a much higher resolution than before. Frequent modelling and prediction will allow Highways England to only introduce Variable Mandatory Speed Limits (VMSL) when poor air quality is predicted. This solution would allow operatives to introduce VMSL for specific time periods, as opposed to setting VMSL for the each and every rush hour, reducing the impact on drivers. Collecting the various data sources and predicting where and when poor air quality will occur is handled by Amey’s AQATANE system. Our project will use sensors provided by Envirowatch. Their sensors, called an “e-Mote” will monitor nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). They will also trial new low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors. We are also working with the SME solution provider Nicander, who will be providing their curo360 system to interface with Highways England and set the variable message signs and VMSL when poor quality events are detected. This process is automated, allowing operatives to continue their day-to-day tasks. We will also be engaging with local communities to understand their views on the performance of the project, and will make data available, displayed on a simple, easy to understand web-based dashboard.