Blog Article
The Clean Air Zone was launched by聽聽on 1 June 2021 to address air quality, which was identified as 鈥渢he single biggest environmental risk to public health鈥�.
Researchers across three universities have been granted 拢6million of funding from a UKRI Innovate UK grant to develop three digital twins of 探花直播 with Siemens Advanta. 探花直播 are focusing specifically on traffic and air quality on the聽DIATOMIC听辫谤辞箩别肠迟.
Creating a network of sensors
Experts in computing in have created a network of more than 300聽air聽and traffic quality sensors across 探花直播 to monitor the impact of the聽Clean聽AirZone.
With the ecosystem of digital twins across the city, researchers are analysing air quality data and assess the impact of the clean air zone three years after its introduction.
More than 300 sensors spread across 探花直播 will help to analyse the impact of the city鈥檚 Clean Air Zone as part of the new 鈥榙igital twin鈥� initiative.聽
Utilising computing expertise
The project is led by Abdel-Rahman Tawil, Professor in Software Engineering at BCU.
His research expertise includes artificial intelligence, semantic web technologies, pervasive computing, intelligent information processing and their application in context-aware systems, smart environments (smart cities and smart homes) and ambient assisted livings.
Also working on the project are researchers聽Dr. Sara Hassan,听Dr. Antonio Nehme,听听补苍诲听Konstantinos Vlachos.
Professor Abdel-Rahman Tawil explains:
"Our goal is to position 探花直播 and the West Midlands as a prominent UK hub for innovation.聽By focusing on cutting-edge technologies, we have the potential to revolutionise industries, improve quality of life, and address environmental and health issues."
Benefiting local businesses
Local SMEs will be able to use DIATOMIC鈥檚 digital platform to grow their businesses.聽Professor Tawil commented:
"SMEs will be able to create their own data, integrate their data with existing data, and even create their own digital twin to run 鈥榳hat if鈥� scenarios. It will help them to become more innovative as they make data-driven decisions.鈥澛�
Sara Hassan, Senior Software Engineering Lecturer and BCU DIATOMIC Project Manager, added:
"We鈥檝e made great strides in the development of the Traffic and Air Quality Digital Twin (TAQ-DT) and have started demonstrating this to SMEs.聽It鈥檚 great to work with Siemens Advanta to pull the developments from different organisations into one platform that will support innovation in the region."
Informing future policy
Data from the DIATOMIC project will inform government policy tackling pressing social issues.聽It will also be used to create an impact assessment toolkit for SMEs to address innovation issues.聽
Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism at 探花直播 City Council, said:
"The DIATOMIC project is a great example of how the Council is working with city partners to drive digital innovation and supporting our local businesses and entrepreneurs to create new applications and solutions that deliver transformative services.聽It has enabled us to develop applications, such as digital twin solutions, to gain better insights and make informed decisions using data-based visualisations and predictive modelling.鈥�
Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Built Environment (CEBE), commented:
"We鈥檙e not only enhancing 探花直播鈥檚 air quality but also empowering our local communities and businesses with innovative digital tools.聽By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaboration, we can create a sustainable and equitable future for all, making 探花直播 a model for urban innovation.鈥澛�
DIATOMIC is supported by聽, which is transforming the city into a digital leader.聽