Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CompAir (Community Observation Measurement & Participation in AIR Science)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-11-01 bis 2024-10-31
Pollution monitoring in the EU has a long history. It's an area for which continuous reporting has provided advanced sets of environmental data. Nevertheless, a few shortcomings remain. On a local level, the granularity of data is not always sufficient to allow meaningful policy analysis. This challenge arises partly because the distribution of official air pollution monitoring stations is sparse. Citizen science has the potential to address this shortcoming by providing high-resolution spatial and temporal data at the neighbourhood level. But, despite the concept being around for a few decades, citizen science is still considered a non-traditional data source in policy circles. Further efforts are needed to build its acceptance by decision makers at different levels of governance.
Determined to make this happen, COMPAIR set out to deploy advanced quality assurance measures in the form of cloud-based calibration algorithms, to make citizen science data policy-ready. The project engaged the entire urban value chain in pollution monitoring and analysis, with a special focus on people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and geographic contexts with less developed citizen science culture. Thanks to COMPAIR, local stakeholders obtained a comprehensive, accurate and easily accessible view of pollution in places not covered by official monitoring stations. They were able to see how pollution affects them individually and what its broader impacts are, or will be in case of inaction, on the economy and environment. Leveraging these insights, decision makers were able to co-create appropriate measures needed to set cities on a more climate-friendly footing and eventually reduce air pollution to levels that are considered safe for all.
Determined to make this happen, COMPAIR set out to deploy advanced quality assurance measures in the form of cloud-based calibration algorithms, to make citizen science data policy-ready. The project engaged the entire urban value chain in pollution monitoring and analysis, with a special focus on people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and geographic contexts with less developed citizen science culture. Thanks to COMPAIR, local stakeholders obtained a comprehensive, accurate and easily accessible view of pollution in places not covered by official monitoring stations. They were able to see how pollution affects them individually and what its broader impacts are, or will be in case of inaction, on the economy and environment. Leveraging these insights, decision makers were able to co-create appropriate measures needed to set cities on a more climate-friendly footing and eventually reduce air pollution to levels that are considered safe for all.
COMPAIR results can be grouped into five categories.
1) Digital tools: Four custom-built apps for analysing the impact of urban mobility policies (Policy Monitoring Dashboard), measuring carbon footprint and simulating abatement strategies (CO2 Calculator), visualising air pollution in Augmented Reality (Dynamic Exposure Visualisation App), and understanding air pollution along the route (Dynamic Exposure Visualisation Dashboard). PMD was used in two Flemish cities; in Herzele it helped to assess the effects of a school street, in Sint-Niklaas to measure the effects of a new circulation plan and a Vijfstraten bicycle bridge. CO2 Calculator was used in Athens, Plovdiv and Sofia, mostly by senior citizens and high-school students as part of a campaign to promote green lifestyles. DEVA was published on Google Play and integrated with Google's BreezoMeter to display modelled air quality data. DEV-D was tested in Flanders and Berlin for over a year, during which time more than 750 km worth of trips were recorded on foot and by bike.
2) Sensors and data on traffic and air quality collected by citizen scientists: Three sensors were significantly improved during the project. Telraam became more robust, accurate, and easier to use. NitroSense was upgraded to work in new locations (outside the Netherlands) and contexts (policy use cases). bcMeter benefited from improved technical design and WiFi protocols to support data transfers. All original sensor data is managed by the data framework following FAIR principles and is shared using the OGC SensorThingsAPI.
3) Calibration: Data from air quality sensors was calibrated with data from reference stations to account for influencing factors that affect low-cost sensor (LCS) accuracy and precision. Initially, a distant calibration approach was used. However, given the limited density of reference stations and the fact that many LCS were stored indoors, the team decided to try another method: auto-calibration. It uses electrochemical sensor readings instead of reference data. Preliminary tests conducted in Ghent with NO2 devices prove auto-calibration to be a viable alternative.
4) Communities & policies: Networks of citizen scientists and other stakeholders (public authorities, NGOs, schools) that contributed to and were influenced by local policies, as well as by COMPAIR in terms of improved knowledge, skills, motivation, social network, lifestyle changes. In Athens, 80% of air quality data was collected by senior citizens who are identified as a priority at-risk group in the city's climate-mitigation strategy. In Berlin, two campaigns happened, one focusing on redevelopments in the Graefikiez Kiezblock, another on dynamic exposure during cycling in which more than 100 Berliners took part. In Flanders, besides urban mobility use cases (school street, circulation plan, bicycle bridge), considerable effort went into promoting STEM education and behavioural change through citizen science. After one such experiment, results showed a 20% decrease in car use and a 7% increase in the use of active and collective transport modes among students. Boosting STEM was also the focus in Plovdiv, where hundreds of students from 3 schools participated in citizen science. And in Sofia, the main activities focused on promoting green mobility habits through a school bus service. It was found that 60% of students from grades 1-4 who started using the service were previously driven by car.
5) Project knowledge base: All of the above are described in project reports, publications, webinars and a recently published online course "Better Together: Citizen Science and Digital Tools to Improve Air Quality Policy". Interested adopters can use this knowledge to learn, get inspired and reproduce COMPAIR in whole or in part, in the same or different settings and cities.
1) Digital tools: Four custom-built apps for analysing the impact of urban mobility policies (Policy Monitoring Dashboard), measuring carbon footprint and simulating abatement strategies (CO2 Calculator), visualising air pollution in Augmented Reality (Dynamic Exposure Visualisation App), and understanding air pollution along the route (Dynamic Exposure Visualisation Dashboard). PMD was used in two Flemish cities; in Herzele it helped to assess the effects of a school street, in Sint-Niklaas to measure the effects of a new circulation plan and a Vijfstraten bicycle bridge. CO2 Calculator was used in Athens, Plovdiv and Sofia, mostly by senior citizens and high-school students as part of a campaign to promote green lifestyles. DEVA was published on Google Play and integrated with Google's BreezoMeter to display modelled air quality data. DEV-D was tested in Flanders and Berlin for over a year, during which time more than 750 km worth of trips were recorded on foot and by bike.
2) Sensors and data on traffic and air quality collected by citizen scientists: Three sensors were significantly improved during the project. Telraam became more robust, accurate, and easier to use. NitroSense was upgraded to work in new locations (outside the Netherlands) and contexts (policy use cases). bcMeter benefited from improved technical design and WiFi protocols to support data transfers. All original sensor data is managed by the data framework following FAIR principles and is shared using the OGC SensorThingsAPI.
3) Calibration: Data from air quality sensors was calibrated with data from reference stations to account for influencing factors that affect low-cost sensor (LCS) accuracy and precision. Initially, a distant calibration approach was used. However, given the limited density of reference stations and the fact that many LCS were stored indoors, the team decided to try another method: auto-calibration. It uses electrochemical sensor readings instead of reference data. Preliminary tests conducted in Ghent with NO2 devices prove auto-calibration to be a viable alternative.
4) Communities & policies: Networks of citizen scientists and other stakeholders (public authorities, NGOs, schools) that contributed to and were influenced by local policies, as well as by COMPAIR in terms of improved knowledge, skills, motivation, social network, lifestyle changes. In Athens, 80% of air quality data was collected by senior citizens who are identified as a priority at-risk group in the city's climate-mitigation strategy. In Berlin, two campaigns happened, one focusing on redevelopments in the Graefikiez Kiezblock, another on dynamic exposure during cycling in which more than 100 Berliners took part. In Flanders, besides urban mobility use cases (school street, circulation plan, bicycle bridge), considerable effort went into promoting STEM education and behavioural change through citizen science. After one such experiment, results showed a 20% decrease in car use and a 7% increase in the use of active and collective transport modes among students. Boosting STEM was also the focus in Plovdiv, where hundreds of students from 3 schools participated in citizen science. And in Sofia, the main activities focused on promoting green mobility habits through a school bus service. It was found that 60% of students from grades 1-4 who started using the service were previously driven by car.
5) Project knowledge base: All of the above are described in project reports, publications, webinars and a recently published online course "Better Together: Citizen Science and Digital Tools to Improve Air Quality Policy". Interested adopters can use this knowledge to learn, get inspired and reproduce COMPAIR in whole or in part, in the same or different settings and cities.
Data: COMPAIR produced new sets of data about air pollution and traffic in inner-city neighbourhoods not covered by official monitoring stations. The quality of air data was ensured through different calibration techniques (distant method, auto-calibration).
Tech innovation: COMPAIR developed 4 brand new applications to help people understand citizen science data and make informed decisions based on facts.
Engagement: COMPAIR brings together members of the quadruple helix community to co-create effective place-based solutions to mitigate air pollution and other related urban challenges. The multi-stakeholder collaboration will exhibit high levels of trust and inclusion, with grassroot communities, researchers, industry experts and policy actors working side by side to make the vision of zero pollution a reality.
Social inclusion: COMPAIR cultivated special relationships with local networks that support groups with a lower socioeconomic status. In Sofia, COMPAIR is partnered with local Roma minority organisations to recruit volunteers from this difficult-to-reach community. In Berlin, COMPAIR worked with Neighbourhood Councils that look after disadvantaged inner city areas. In Athens, the process of engagement with elderly citizens happened through Friendship Clubs, recreational centres for senior citizens operated by the Social Affairs and Solidarity Agency.
Behavioural change: COMPAIR stimulated behavioural change by increasing environmental awareness among urban inhabitants. Participation in citizen science motivated people to improve their habits by switching to more sustainable everyday practices.
Policy change: COMPAIR results equipped authorities with an enhanced capacity to evaluate, monitor and simulate measures needed for sustainable urban development.
Tech innovation: COMPAIR developed 4 brand new applications to help people understand citizen science data and make informed decisions based on facts.
Engagement: COMPAIR brings together members of the quadruple helix community to co-create effective place-based solutions to mitigate air pollution and other related urban challenges. The multi-stakeholder collaboration will exhibit high levels of trust and inclusion, with grassroot communities, researchers, industry experts and policy actors working side by side to make the vision of zero pollution a reality.
Social inclusion: COMPAIR cultivated special relationships with local networks that support groups with a lower socioeconomic status. In Sofia, COMPAIR is partnered with local Roma minority organisations to recruit volunteers from this difficult-to-reach community. In Berlin, COMPAIR worked with Neighbourhood Councils that look after disadvantaged inner city areas. In Athens, the process of engagement with elderly citizens happened through Friendship Clubs, recreational centres for senior citizens operated by the Social Affairs and Solidarity Agency.
Behavioural change: COMPAIR stimulated behavioural change by increasing environmental awareness among urban inhabitants. Participation in citizen science motivated people to improve their habits by switching to more sustainable everyday practices.
Policy change: COMPAIR results equipped authorities with an enhanced capacity to evaluate, monitor and simulate measures needed for sustainable urban development.