UK project aims to enable local authorities to control city vehicle emissions

The project will showcase smart city technology applications that demonstrate real-time emissions control, using live air quality data to trigger electric hybrid engines to automatically switch to zero-emission running in heavily polluted areas. The project will be demonstrated in Leeds and promises to offer cities new ways to reduce urban air pollution without additional charges to motorists or businesses.
 
The consortium, co-ordinated Transport Systems Catapult, will collaborate to capture real-time air quality readings that will trigger hybrid electric engines to switch automatically to zero-emission running. Known as active geo-fencing, the technology concept will be tested on a hybrid vehicle interface developed by Tevva Motors. Transportation network systems developer Dynniq will develop a decision-making engine capable of taking inputs from a range of city data, such as live air quality information and real-time traffic conditions. EarthSense will be responsible for monitoring and uploading updated local air quality levels to the interface, which will be used to trigger on-demand zero-emissions running instructions in the participating Tevva vehicles.
 
Cenex and the Transport Systems Catapult will evaluate the application, markets, business models and scalability of the system in hopes of using the technology more widely in Leeds and potential UK Clean Air Zones.