Skip to main content

Researchers develop remote traffic pollution detection system

A group of research centres and companies in Madrid has created what is said to be the first infrared and remote system able to detect pollutants from cars on highways up to three lanes. The goal is to be able to conduct a global test of automobile emissions. According to the researchers, the prototype, which is ready to be marketed, can make an intelligent measurement of highway traffic by collecting real-time data on traffic density, emissions and consumption associated with each vehicle, and weather c
September 19, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
A group of research centres and companies in Madrid has created what is said to be the first infrared and remote system able to detect pollutants from cars on highways up to three lanes. The goal is to be able to conduct a global test of automobile emissions.

According to the researchers, the prototype, which is ready to be marketed, can make an intelligent measurement of highway traffic by collecting real-time data on traffic density, emissions and consumption associated with each vehicle, and weather conditions. With this information, the impact of traffic on the environment can be analysed and road safety can be improved. The prototype is based on the modification of an infrared multispectral image camera with interferential filters and works in a similar way to a radar, although in this case it detects excess pollutants from each vehicle, say the researchers, who work within the framework of the INNPACTO project, led by Technet and employing researchers from CIEMAT, Tevaseñal and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M).

Approximately five percent of vehicles are responsible for more than 90 per cent of toxic emissions. With this system, it can be determined which pollute more and policies that facilitate their identification can be created. With this, point out the scientists, traffic emissions (CO2, CO, NOx, HC, PM) would be reduced and energy efficiency would increase, given that a decrease of emissions implies less consumption. In addition, measures for optimising consumption and emissions could be adopted, like varying speed limits on high capacity roads that enter and exit big cities.

According to its creators, the device is the only prototype on the market capable of measuring the emissions of each vehicle on a high capacity.

Related Content

  • Rail freight volumes expand in key markets
    February 27, 2017
    Consistent expansion in the key emerging consumer and construction rail freight markets both in the latest quarterly and the accumulative annual Office of Road and Rail (ORR) figures, demonstrates confidence and the potential of the sector, according to Freight on Rail. According to the figures, consumer traffic¸ which has increased all year, grew over five per cent in quarter three compared to last year, setting a new record for the highest amount of freight moved per quarter since quarterly figures wer
  • A new way to manage parking demand
    July 21, 2021
    Parking permit changes at one US campus could provide a model for encouraging active travel options post-Covid – and for transit ticketing adjustments as commuting patterns change
  • Xerox automates HOV/HOT enforcement
    May 27, 2014
    Counting the number of people in a vehicle has always been a manual task, but now Xerox has developed a real-time system to automate the process. Xerox has introduced an automated system that determines the number of passengers in a vehicle, enabling authorities to detect non-qualifying drivers using the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Traditionally HOV/HOT enforcement has entailed local police visually confirming each vehicle has the required number of occupants and chasin
  • Cubic’s holistic view of traffic management
    May 25, 2022
    How can cities and transit agencies ease congested roadways? Andy Taylor of Cubic Transportation Systems suggests it would help to take a more holistic view of the problem