The amount of measurement points will at least double in the Helsinki region as a new supplementary air quality network of Vaisala and Pegasor sensors will be installed during the next year. The new system will enable agile and economical way to gather new information about the air quality of the Finnish capital city region.
(Photo: Jussi Hellsten)
"The new data and a predictive model will improve the monitoring and communications in the capital city region. The Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY will bring new air quality maps to its web site as well as to information screens on trams and the metro. We also plan to start using a predictive air quality model during the two-year project", Head of HSY air protection unit Tarja Koskentalo says.
The ENFUSER modelling tool by the acclaimed Finnish Meteorological Institute will create predictions on the region’s air quality, which will help the citizens to avoid air pollutants. The model combines the air quality data to weather data, topological maps, building data and pollution source information.
The air quality data and predictive model enable air quality improving measures. For example, the need to water or clean the streets to avoid harmful dust can be predicted better than before.
Vital part of the project is open data
A new cooperation model of businesses and public bodies in the Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean project creates the foundation to export the solutions developed in the region to cities, where air quality is a significant problem. Vital part of the project is open data. This enables businesses not directly involved in the project to build solutions based on it.
"The partners in the air quality project have the best know-how on the field in the world. When they come together the solutions created can answer the needs of other cities around the world. The air quality date can be used to develop solutions tha improve the lives of millions of people. We invite all interested parties to develop these solutions with us", Executive Director of Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation Tiina Kähö explains.
"Comprehensive network will produce a much more detailed picture of the air quality than is possible at the moment. The supplementary network can be built very economically as our new, innovative, air quality sensors cost a fraction of the stations currently used around the world", Vaisala Weather Business Executive Vice President Jarkko Sairanen says.
The partners in the initiative nurtured in the Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean project are the sensor technology providers Vaisala and Pegasor; HSY, who is responsible for the air quality monitoring the Helsinki region; Finnish Meteorological Institute who is the initiative lead as well as responsible for the predictive model and Finland’s air quality official; Helsinki university, who will validate the system.
The air quality project is an example of how the new cooperation model Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation can bring together the cities, businesses as well as state and research organizations. The cooperation enables everyone to achieve more than they could individually.
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World’s first comprehensive city-wide air quality system will be built to Helsinki Region in Finland. It supplements the current measurement stations.
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The more comprehensive data can be used to further develop air quality improving measures.
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The data will be open and available to everyone and can be used to inform the citizens on about local air quality and its development.
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The cooperation of world leaders in the field in the Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean project enables the solutions to be exported to cities suffering from severe air quality issues.
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