A pilot in the Finnish capital Helsinki is providing air quality information at two public transport stops until the end of the year in an attempt to enhance people’s understanding of air quality issues in the city.

Weather data specialist Vaisala is working with a series of partners to disseminate hyperlocal information about the air quality using a map on digital screen at public transport stops as well as an air quality display with a breathing light.

The air quality display pilots a new way of presenting air quality information to citizens, which was developed especially for this project.

“Vaisala’s precise environmental data and accurate air quality solutions give smart cities real-time insights to improve quality of life,” said Tommi Roman, Head of Emerging Business Development, Weather and Environment, Vaisala. “Making cities more breathable starts by measuring, modelling, and analysing air quality data. What comes to urban weather and environment, Vaisala combines data from high performing sensor networks with important environmental, weather, and other parameters. That enables modeling and forecasting of air quality in a city environment.”

“Even though the air quality in Helsinki is good overall, there are local and temporal variations that can be highlighted,” added Xavier Jolas, Head of Data & Programmatic at project partner JCDecaux Finland. “Poor air quality is unquestionably a challenge in an urban environment. JCDecaux Finland already communicates air quality information provided by HSY on digital screens in trams and the subway trains in Helsinki but we want to increase the number of digital locations where citizens can get this important information.”

(Picture – Vaisala)