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Drone-based measurement of air pollutants

MesSBAR – Automated airborne measurement of pollutant loads in the near-earth atmosphere in urban areas

MesSBAR-Logo

In order to safeguard and continuously improve people's quality of life, it is necessary to reduce air pollution levels. Air pollutants are measured stationarily throughout Germany by both the state and federal authorities and predicted using models. BASt also operates measuring cross-sections with 2 measuring stations each on the motorways A555 near Wesseling and A4 near Bensberg.

As part of the MesSBAR project, BASt has been involved in research into drone-based measurement of atmospheric pollution since September 2019. The MesSBAR team is developing a flying pollutant measurement system that will enable vertical and horizontal profile measurements on federal trunk roads and in urban areas. For this purpose, 3 drones (quadrocopters) are equipped with miniaturised sensors for particulate matter, soot, nitrogen oxides and ozone and operated automatically.

The measurement technology used on the drones will initially be assessed and validated at BASt measurement cross-sections. In later use, the use of drones enables the recording of air pollutants independent of location and with a high degree of flexibility. Vertical measurements, to determine the distribution of pollutants at height, can so far only be carried out with a high logistical and financial effort. However, they provide useful information on how particles and gases such as nitrogen dioxide are distributed. The data from a drone-based measurement system can make an important contribution to improving model-based predictions and verifying measures to reduce pollutants.

The members of the research consortium are the Technical University of Braunschweig, the Federal Highway Research Institute, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig, the Federal Environment Agency, the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, the Jülich Research Centre and the company Leichtwerk Research GmbH. The Institute of Flight Guidance (IFF) at TU Braunschweig is leading the research consortium. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) with 2.27 million euros as part of the funding guideline Modernity Fund (mFUND).

Logos of BMVI and mFUND