Five new clean air projects have received funding

The TRANSITION Clean Air Network has announced funding for five new research projects that are aimed at improving air quality. 

The network, which is led by the University of Birmingham has awarded £48,000 to five projects which are aimed at delivering clean air solutions, helping the government to meet its net-zero targets and creating innovative solutions to the UK’s low-emission mobility revolution.

The five projects, led by both commercial and academic organisations, aim to characterise changing travel patterns; measure exposure to pollution in different transport modes; progress real-time identification of pollution sources; reduce the emissions of pollutants from so-called zero-emission’ vehicles, and minimise public exposure at the roadside.

One project that is led by Nick Molden from Emissions Analytics will focus on measuring ultrafine particles and currently unregulated pollutants. Emissions Analytics will measure differential exposure when walking, cycling, driving, catching a bus or when travelling by train and will compare this to diesel and electric variants on a commuter journey between Oxford and London.

Another project, led by Gordon Allison at DustScan, will develop statistical techniques for machine learning in order to differentiate between construction dust and non-exhaust vehicle emissions, including on the HS2 Curzon Street site.

Dr Suzanne Bartington, TRANSITION lead investigator and public health clinician and environmental epidemiologist at the University of Birmingham, said: ‘We are delighted to fund these innovative projects spanning UK road, rail and bus transport.

‘The outputs will advance our knowledge, understanding and tools to reduce health harms of transport emissions.’

Professor Jon Fairburn, from Staffordshire University, added: ‘In the year of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), these projects will provide new insights to resolve key issues surrounding transport emissions, and our exposure to these.

‘As such these findings will provide policymakers with the evidence for developing a cleaner and healthier environment.’