Updates from the NEMO Project
The EU Horizon 20202 funded NEMO Project is working on real time noise and emission measuring by remote sensing. NEMO has developed a completely new remote sensing technology that can measure noise and emissions from individual road vehicles and trains in real time. The system will make possible a limited access or charging system based on actual environmental impacts. In this article we report on several updates from the NEMO Project, with links to additional resources.
NEMO partners’ top wishes for 2024, to get high emitters off our roads
NEMO’s unique technology for detecting high-emitting vehicles has been validated by the JRC and taken from the lab to the streets of European cities. To enable cities to implement it for the enforcement of Low Emission Zones, our partners propose a number of amendments to European policy and regulations.
The project has released a video on policy and regulation which you can watch here: [KE1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJg9q5kpdK8
Scientific recognition of NEMO’s ground-breaking technology
A recent IEEE sensors journal article describes the key technologies of NEMO’s solution in the greatest detail so far. The comprehensive system goes beyond existing solutions by integrating sensors, AI-based algorithms, and a powerful data platform – effectively tracking both noise and exhaust emissions from road vehicles, trains, and ships. The article, NEMO: Real-Time Noise and Exhaust Emissions Monitoring for Sustainable and Intelligent Transportation Systems, is available here.
Figure: Graphical abstract for key technologies of NEMO’s solutions
Results from four real-world pilots
Our pilots in four different European locations have each addressed unique aspects of environmental monitoring and mitigation. We have summarized the key results from all four pilots in a short document to provide you with a quick overview, which is available here.
LRSD: The new frontier in accurate, real-time vehicle emission monitoring
Detecting high emitters from individual vehicles in real-time and without interfering with traffic requires a new approach. NEMO has utilized technologies called ICLs and QCLs to accurately detect various pollutants from the exhaust of moving vehicles.
Combined, the laser remote sensing device (LRSD) offers a versatile solution, designed for both portable and fixed use, and can monitor emissions from one or multiple traffic lanes. Early tests of this system show it can measure emissions with more than 95% accuracy and only a 10.00% deviation, making it effective even for vehicles with very low emission levels. You can learn more about this by reading the paper “Performance of a remote sensing device based on a spectroscopic approach for the remote measurement of vehicle emissions” available here.
Evaluating the financial and environmental trade-offs of NEMO’s innovative technologies
It is crucial to evaluate the effects of the cutting-edge technologies used in NEMO on human health and the environment, and to compare these with the expenses incurred by new methods and systems aimed at reducing these impacts. The proposed solutions will have associated external costs and benefits, particularly in terms of pollution and noise emissions.
To effectively compare the financial costs and benefits, a method for quantifying the environmental benefits in monetary terms is needed. Read more about our methodology here.
Separating noise from noise in heavy traffic
NEMO’s breakthrough technology for detecting and characterizing urban noise pollution employs an innovative algorithm that accurately identifies and locates high noise emitting vehicles in dense traffic. A sophisticated ‘beamforming’ technique utilizes side microphones strategically positioned to detect the primary sound source and estimate the vehicle’s position.
This approach is particularly effective in dense traffic scenarios, crucial for urban environments. See our technology in action here.
Innovative asphalt mixtures reduce noise and pave the way for new environmental and health solutions
The NEMO-project has shown how new types of pavements can not only reduce noise emissions, but also help combat other environmental threats. Innovative asphalt mixtures have been developed to target threefold environmental impacts from on-road vehicles emissions, including noise, exhaust gases and microplastics coming from tires’ wear and tear. The mixtures have been tested in urban and peri urban conditions and have presented very good mechanical performance.
The NEMO-project has shown how new types of pavements can not only reduce noise emissions, but also help combat other environmental threats.
More information is available here.
Resources
Don’t miss all the resources on our website, where you can find articles, reports policy papers, best-practices and all the publications from the NEMO project.
Note: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Grant Agreement n° 860441.
