EarthSense, the air quality specialist, announces a partnership with Westbury Town Council, which is providing members of the public with an air quality portal using EarthSense’s award-winning air quality service.
Following concerns from the public about air pollution, the town council of Westbury in Wiltshire asked EarthSense to develop an interactive air pollution map. The public can now access this information through EarthSense’s MyAir® application on the Council’s website. The portal delivers real-time Zephyr® air quality measurements and MappAir® modelled data for pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5), together with supporting advice about prevailing concentrations.
The portal uses the MappAir® city resolution model which combines a number of datasets, including reference site, traffic, weather, and Zephyr® data to provide visualisations of air quality throughout the town. The portal also offers real-time Zephyr® measurements which indicate pollution concentrations at specific locations.
The portal gives members of the public suggestions on how they can manage their pollution exposure and how vulnerable groups should respond to the current levels. In addition, users receive supporting guidance about how to reduce air pollution concentrations.
Using the portal, residents can use measured and modelled insights to make informed choices about methods of transport. Westbury Town Council can also use the data in approaches to Wiltshire Council to implement further improvements in Westbury.
The static, battery-powered Zephyr® monitor, which has been supplied by EarthSense’s UK distributor for local councils, Enviro Technology (ET), is currently installed on the A350, a road running through Westbury. The unit has previously been installed at a pedestrianised marketplace, Warminster Road, and a residential property, and will be relocated monthly to measure concentrations at other areas of interest.
The sensor will also be used for a range of initiatives including identifying clean routes to encourage no idling and sustainable transport decisions, and monitoring air pollution outside schools.
EarthSense Managing Director, Tom Hall commented on the partnership: “Using a combination of MyAir®, MappAir® and Zephyr® technologies to deliver Westbury Town Council’s air pollution map, we’ve been able to help them to work with members of the public to identify pollution hotspots throughout the town. This means the council will be able to introduce suitable measures to mitigate increased pollution levels.”
EarthSense’s award-winning service helps local authorities and commercial businesses to visualise and understand the levels of air quality in their local area. The service is acquired with an all-in-one purchase, encompassing pollution measurements, modelling, data provision and ongoing maintenance, which can be used as part of an education tool for empowering members of the public.
Hall continued: “Our service has also enabled the Council to understand the behaviour of air pollution during lockdown. They found that during lockdown, pollution(?) concentrations were high near an air quality management area. They’re now keeping a close eye on the levels by making use of our technologies and ensuring the correct procedures are in place if(?) the concentrations reach unsafe limits.”
Deborah Urch, Town Clerk at Westbury Town Council said: “We were delighted to be able to work on this initiative with EarthSense. The easy-to-use online portal is available on our website and the community can see at-a-glance the quality of air in Westbury. This allows us to reassure the public that Westbury continues to be a great place to live but also enables the town council to monitor air quality and take action as necessary. For example, the town council can identify safe and healthy walking and cycling routes to key points in the town centre.”
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