Brussels measures vehicle pollution in real time

Ever wondered how much pollution we encounter each day? The Brussels capital region is about to find out.

Environment Brussels, in cooperation with the ICCT (International Council for Clean Transportation) and TRUE (The Real World Urban Emissions) Initiative, is coordinating a campaign to measure emissions and noise pollution across the Belgian capital. The project uses remote sensing technology to detect pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitric Oxide (NO), establishing the level of pollution residents are exposed.

The project is an attempt to ensure vehicle pollution data is open and transparent. ‘Dieselgate' revealed that the pollution emitted while driving differed from the results obtained during laboratory tests or during homologations. As a result, real time measurements are critical for improving our understanding of urban air quality and its implications for health.

The results of this campaign are expected in the second quarter of 2021, and will help to identify concrete actions to combat air pollution and noise pollution caused by urban traffic.