In 2021, the TRANSITION Clean Air Network awarded £48,000 to a series of Discovery & Innovation projects spanning commercial, academic and local authority partners. For all four completed projects, 1-page Fact Sheets, Full Reports and Data are now freely-accessible. Follow the links below for insights into:
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How our travel patterns changed during COVID-19 lockdowns – what changes appear to have been temporary and what legacy effects continue
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How travel choices affect our exposure to air pollution, particularly how our exposure in vehicles compares with that when walking or cycling
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How we can differentiate between different sources of air pollution – how we can quantify the component from transport using low cost sensors
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How we can reduce exposure to vehicular emissions at the roadside via careful (re)design of bus shelters – and potentially other street furniture
Characterising Changing Travel Patterns in the COVID-19 Era (Dr Fiona Crawford | University of the West of England)
Applying methods previously used in gene sequencing to number plates and vehicle registration data, Dr Fiona Crawford has generated insights into travel behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic to start understanding the air quality impacts of changes in working patterns and shopping behaviour.
Exposures to Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds across Multiple Transportation Modes (Nick Molden | Emissions Analytics Ltd)
Focussing on ultrafine particles and currently unregulated pollutants, Emissions Analytics Ltd has measured differential exposure when opting to walk, cycle, drive*, catch a bus* or travel by train* (*comparing diesel and electric variants) on a commuter journey between Oxford and London.
Progressing Real Time Source Identification for Particulate Matter (Gordon Allison | DustScan Ltd)
Enabling real-time air quality management at high spatial coverage, Dustscan Ltd has developed statistical techniques for machine learning to differentiate between construction dust and non-exhaust vehicle emissions using its new DustScan Cloud ‘low-cost’ air quality sensor, including on the HS2 Curzon Street site.
3D Modelling of Pollutant Dispersion and Exposure around Bus Stop Shelters (Dr Fabrizio Bonatesta | Oxford Brookes University)
Focussing on roadside exposure to momentary peaks of air pollution from passing vehicles, Dr Fabrizio Bonatesta’s team have used state-of-the-art airflow simulation software to optimise bus shelter design for minimum air pollutant exposure. The study was undertaken in collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.