The analysis results of the air quality monitoring function module have an impact on various aspects of urban life and environmental protection:

• Monitor the impact of traffic: Air quality sensors can be installed at busy roads, junctions and tunnels to accurately measure the impact of traffic on air quality. This data enables city authorities to take targeted measures to control traffic and reduce air pollution, thereby protecting the health of citizens.
• Industrial site monitoring: By installing air quality sensors near industrial plants and production facilities, emission limits can be monitored and environmental impact minimised. If limit values are exceeded, immediate measures can be taken to reduce emissions and minimise the environmental impact.
• Creating an attractive living environment: Air quality monitoring is used in residential areas to protect the health and well-being of residents. By installing air quality sensors, exposure to air pollutants can be closely monitored and targeted measures can be taken to improve air quality in order to increase the quality of life of neighbouring residents.
• Protect social infrastructures: In addition, air quality monitoring is also crucial in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, care centres and schools. By integrating air quality sensors, the health of patients, residents and pupils can be protected and the risk of airborne diseases minimised. This helps to create a healthy environment for everyone and improve the quality of healthcare.

You can use this function module to plan your measures for compliance with the legal requirements for air pollution control on the basis of data:

• Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe provides the regulatory framework that transposes Directive 2008/50/EC into German law in Germany through Ordinance BImSchV 39 (39th Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act). A primary objective is to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of air pollutants on human health and the environment and to provide the population with comprehensive information on air quality.
  
  
• With the help of air quality sensors that can measure pollutants such as ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10), compliance with the emission limits set by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) can be transparently measured and reported. They make it possible to monitor compliance with the statutory limit values and to be informed if a limit value has been exceeded or is about to be exceeded so that countermeasures can be initiated if necessary, such as the closure of road sections to heavy goods vehicles.

The information on air quality can also provide all citizens with a picture of the situation, e.g. to avoid dangerous "hot spots" in the event of health problems.

• In a medium-sized city, for example, it is estimated that around 580 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are lost every year due to air quality. According to a study published in 2020 by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), air pollution in Germany costs €1,468 per city dweller every year. For a medium-sized city (200,000 inhabitants), a 1% reduction in air pollution could save costs of €2,936,000 per year.

However, smaller municipalities can also be affected by poor air quality due to their location or transport links. There is often a lack of suitable measuring stations here. For example, lightweight air quality sensors such as those offered on the [ui!] AGORA smart city marketplace (https://agora.umi.city) can be set up as measuring points.

The [ui!] DATALAB specialist application for the air quality monitoring function module shows the data of all connected sensors that are deployed in the cityscape and connected to the data platform via wireless networks, geo-localised on a map so that users can navigate quickly and easily to the respective sensor. The current values of the sensor over time can be displayed directly by selecting a sensor. In addition, the data is analysed and displayed in accordance with the requirements of the 39th BImSchV.

This function block requires the open urban data platform [ui!] UrbanPulse as an existing component. Furthermore, installed sensors for soil moisture are assumed as given (No sensors available? Inform here https://agora.umi.city/de/infrastruktur).

The sensors are connected via a connector. If no [ui!] connector is available, this must be ordered and developed separately. As soon as your Open Urban Data Platform is active, you meet the requirements to start visualising data for citizens and specialist users.

At the moment, the measuring stations of the Hessian State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) and sensors from Vaisala can be integrated. A number of other connectors are also available in the [ui!] connector catalogue. If your desired connector is not yet available in our catalogue, we will be happy to develop a suitable connector for you. Please get in touch with us.

The noise monitoring analysis results cover a wide range of applications, all aimed at monitoring and controlling noise exposure in different environments. Based on this data, you can generate a range of added value for your municipality:

• Optimise traffic control: In urban areas, monitoring is often used to record noise development at busy road junctions and to take measures to control traffic (environmentally sensitive traffic management).
  
  
• Planning noise protection measures: Monitoring along railway lines is important in order to minimise the impact of rail traffic on the surrounding communities and improve the quality of life of local residents. In industrial areas, noise sensors are used to monitor noise pollution from industrial activities and ensure that legal limits are adhered to.
  
  
• Protect sensitive uses: In addition, noise sensors are also used in leisure and recreational areas, residential areas and school and educational facilities to protect people's peace and relaxation and create a pleasant environment.

This wide range of applications emphasises the versatility and importance of noise monitoring for the quality of life and environmental protection in urban and rural areas. Noise monitoring also enables you to plan your measures to comply with legal requirements regarding noise emissions on the basis of data.

• With the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC, the European Union has reached an important milestone towards comprehensive regulation of noise immissions. The Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV) stipulates that noise reports and action plans must be drawn up in order to be able to take long-term action against noise pollution.
  
  
• Paragraphs 47 c and 47 d of the BImSchV oblige the responsible authorities to draw up "noise maps" and "noise action plans". Measuring equipment can be included in the noise action plans specifically for noise conflict zones. Political discussions and complaints from neighbouring residents can be conducted on a factual basis using actual measured values.

The specialised application [ui!] DATALAB for the noise monitoring function module shows the noise emission measurements over the course of the week in a line diagram, including a forecast for the next few days. On the other hand, the hourly averages can be clearly displayed as a bar chart. Forecasts of the noise level at selectable locations with an additional forecast for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow are displayed to the user in the form of gauge charts, i.e. a radial scale.

This noise monitoring function module requires the open urban data platform [ui!] UrbanPulse as an existing component. Furthermore, installed sensors for soil moisture are assumed to be present.

(No sensors available? Inform here agora.umi.city.

Sensors are connected via a connector. If no [ui!] connector is available, this must be ordered and developed separately.

As soon as your Open Urban Data Platform [ui!] UrbanPulse is active, you meet the requirements to start visualising data for citizens and professional users.

Existing connectors

A range of connectors are available for the function module in the [ui!] connector catalogue. If your desired connector is not yet available in our catalogue, we will be happy to develop a suitable connector for you. Please get in touch with us.