App Based Particulate Matter Dosimetry
Measurement of inhaled particulate matter amount using the GOFFI app.
Health Based Optimization of Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure to Reduce Particulate Matter Pollution in Urban Areas
Air pollution is the fourth leading cause of death. About one-third of cases of asthma, cancer and COVID-19 are caused or exacerbated by particulate matter. This is particularly true for pedestrians and cyclists using transportation infrastructure in urban areas. However, there is still no concrete data on the health risks related to particulate matter in this context.
This gap is to be addressed by the BMDV-funded GOFFI project: The project’s goal is to determine the actual particulate matter exposure for pedestrians and cyclists on pedestrian and bike paths in urban areas and to assess the associated health risks. Based on these assessments, the potential to reduce health risks from particulate matter through the optimization of transportation infrastructure will be explored.
For this purpose, the project will develop a smartphone app that determines particulate matter exposure for pedestrians and cyclists based on individual breathing volume and the location- and time-dependent particulate matter concentration in the air. The app will then be tested and validated in field trials in Hamburg and Stuttgart. Based on the results, criteria will be developed for optimizing transportation infrastructure to reduce the health risks from particulate matter for pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas.
Milestones
MS1: Preparation and Basic Concept (September 30, 2023)
- Validation of particulate matter data from third-party services (e.g., BreezoMeter)
- Development of a semi-empirical formula to calculate the breathing volume for pedestrians and cyclists
- Creation of an architectural design for the implementation of the demonstrator
MS2: Concept Development and Implementation (March 31, 2024)
- Development of a recommendation for the implementation of particulate matter intake measurement using in-ear headphones in future project initiatives
- Implementation of a prototype proof-of-concept demonstrator
- Testing of the demonstrator with a reference group
MS3: Conducting a field test and evaluation (March 31, 2025)
- Field testing of the demonstrator
- Collection and analysis of data with the demonstrator
- Derivation of criteria for optimizing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
- Determination of particulate matter exposure and analysis regarding the reduction of individual health risks through behavior adjustments
Consortium
Institutions
FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik
Idea System GmbH
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Thank you very much for the funding:
