Smartline Research
Then Try This
How can sensor data and visualisation software be used to test and measure air pollution in Cornwall?
Then Try This are a non-profit who design and make bespoke hardware and software. Using Smartline funding, they have been working to develop and test air pollution sensors (particulate matter and NOx).
The team will be looking at ways to visualise air pollution in situ and in real time, so people can see the pollution levels on their streets.
Air pollution data for new bike lanes
Photo of Jubilee Wharf as shown on the Krowji website here: www.krowji.org.uk/studio-finder/jubilee-wharf-penryn/
The plan came about because new bike lanes were due to be installed in Cornwall in early 2022, and there was interest from the local council for getting air pollution data before and after the new infrastructure is put in place.
While these plans are still in progress, Then Try This will be developing and testing the sensors and visualisations on their own studio building which is located at Jubilee Wharf and Jubilee Warehouse in Penryn.
The building is sandwiched between a busy road on one side and a calm estuary on the other, and has an adventurous and thoughtful management team who are very keen to experiment.
“We’ll be using the Smartline funding to trial affordable outdoor air pollution sensors, and ways of visualising air pollution on the streets. We’ll be talking with Cornwall Council and local community groups to understand what sort of data would be most useful for them, with a view to using the sensors for monitoring and mapping local air quality.”
Investigating what type of data is useful
The sensor and visualisation software will be open source, and the data presentation will be open to the public so people can replicate the technology for their own purposes.
“The funding gives us time out from delivering commissioned projects, allowing us the freedom to pursue our ideas. It also means we’re meeting lots of interesting people with very different skills to our own, we’re particularly looking forward to learning from Smartline researchers with public health experience.”
Then Try This will be working with Cornwall Council and cycling community groups to establish what type of data is most useful for them, and to figure out how and where to display the air pollution data. The final form is completely open at this stage, and could involve projecting pollution data on buildings, lighting up lamp-posts different colours, installing analogue dials, or using sound for example. The project builds on the technology we've been developing for the Sonic Kayaks. Look out for updates coming soon…
Who is involved?
Dr Amber Griffiths and Dave Griffiths from Then Try This and Emma Seymour, Dr Lewis Elliot, Dr Tamaryn Menneer and Dr Richard Woods from the University of Exeter, and Dr Richard Sharpe from Cornwall Council.