Experts from Shoreham-based Ricardo (www.ricardo.com) — a global engineering and environmental consultancy that specialises in the transport, energy and scarce resources sectors — are providing crucial analytical insights to Slough Borough Council, using the latest smart-sensor technology and automated monitoring to assess air quality in the vicinity of a number of schools.

Located in the Thames valley west of London, the borough of Slough currently has five air-quality management areas (AQMAs), including some in the vicinity of primary and nursery schools.

After a successful application by Slough Borough Council to DEFRA for funding, Ricardo will work on a project
focusing on this issue, together with Mayflower Smart Control, smart sensor specialist Vaisala, and installation contractor Volker Highways.

The project will evaluate the air quality in the vicinity of the schools and assess the use of this latest sensor technology against existing approaches using NO₂ diffusion tubes — both in terms of accuracy and cost.

A particular focus will be the analysis of school drop-off and pick-up activities, and the impacts on NO2 and particulate pollution during these periods.

Installation and commissioning of the necessary equipment will commence this month, with a report on the findings being provided to DEFRA and Slough Borough Council in November 2020.