Melbourne streetlights turning into air monitors

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and CitiPower are collaborating on a trial to convert Melbourne’s streetlights into air monitoring stations, having recently attached air quality sensors to two light poles at each end of the Queens Bridge.

“At around $200 each and slightly larger than a matchbox, the sensors are representative of a range of new low-cost, compact technologies coming into the market,” said Dr Anthony Boxshall, EPA group manager of applied sciences. He went on to say that the trial hopes to establish how air monitoring networks might incorporate new technologies into existing infrastructure.

The sensors measure concentrations of fine particles in the air called PM2.5 — a pollutant in smoke, fine dust and vehicle exhaust emissions. The air quality data is transmitted via secure radiocommunication, which is relatively immune to telecommunication outages that can interrupt data flow in traditional monitoring networks.

“Tests of these sensors have shown they perform remarkably well and provide a general and reliable indication of whether PM2.5 levels are low, medium or high,” Dr Boxshall said.

“The sensor housing passed the first test of being able to withstand harsh weather conditions, having survived a very wet and windy period in early October.”

Dr Boxshall said the concentrations of PM2.5 measured so far are “pretty consistent with data recorded at our nearest permanent monitoring station in Footscray, which is a great first sign”. The next step, he said, is to understand how they perform in the long term.

“If we find they can provide useful, reliable data at a low operational cost, we’ll look at incorporating them into our existing air monitoring network,” he said.

“Sensors of this kind may one day offer an effective way to help EPA monitor air quality in more places throughout Victoria, especially where people live and work.”