The increasing number of vehicles on roads results in a rapid increase of air pollution in urban areas. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute scientists from Nagpur developed a smart artificial intelligence dashboard to solve this issue. The system uses traffic cameras to detect vehicle-related pollution and delivers current pollution data to users.
AI-LSEI functions as an AI-Integrated Line Source Emission Inventory system. It connects directly with existing CCTV and traffic cameras already installed across cities. The AI system uses live video feeds to automatically identify and count vehicles that pass through the monitored area. The system calculates vehicle pollution emissions after it identifies the vehicles.
The dashboard can identify different types of vehicles through its detection system. The system includes two-wheelers which encompass bikes and scooters and three-wheelers which include auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws and cars and light commercial vehicles which consist of pickup vans and buses and heavy commercial vehicles which include trucks. The system achieves more precise pollution estimates through its vehicle classification system which separates vehicles into different groups.
Pollution studies in previous years employed manual traffic counting methods to gather data. Officials had to physically record the number of vehicles on roads. The full report needed one year to complete using this method. Traffic conditions had changed by the time they reached their results. The new AI dashboard solves this problem by providing instant and updated data.
The system estimates several major pollutants that affect air quality. The pollutants that the system identifies include particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). The existence of these pollutants in the environment results in negative effects on human health together with deteriorating urban air quality conditions.
The dashboard improves accuracy through its process of gathering data about vehicle engines and fuel technologies from government transport portals. The system incorporates emission standards that the Automotive Research Association of India established.
The GIS-based map displays all the information which shows pollution hotspots that appear in red. Officials can easily identify areas where pollution is highest. The tool enables traffic police to analyze daily traffic patterns while assisting them in controlling congestion during peak times and major events.
