Abu Dhabi adopts space laser technology to detect vehicle emission levels


Anjana Sankar
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Abu Dhabi is harnessing space technology to assess vehicle emission levels on some of its busiest roads as part of a major drive to boost air quality.

The remote-sensing tool - which is now in operation in the capital - aims to collect real-time data on various kinds of pollutants emitted on the roads.

Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, which has brought the technology to the Middle East for the first time, hopes the collected data will help formulate effective mitigation measures.

The unmanned system called Edar (emissions detection and reporting) sits on a 5-metre pole above the road and remotely detects plumes from the exhaust pipes of both light and heavy-duty vehicles using its laser-based overhead detectors.

The unmanned system sits on a 5-metre pole above the road. Victor Besa / The National.
The unmanned system sits on a 5-metre pole above the road. Victor Besa / The National.

Using Nasa technology on Earth

The monitoring device is a Nasa Spinoff system, a term used to describe space agency technology subsequently used to benefit life on Earth.

It was patented by US-based Hager Environmental and Atmospheric Technologies, known as Heat, with 4 Earth Intelligence (4EI) the local partner on the project.

Stewart Hager, chief executive of Heat, told The National that the remote-sensing technology is used in outer space.

“It is like a satellite on a pole on Earth.”

“It is like an OCO [Orbiting Carbon Observatory] satellite, which is part of a group of satellites that go around the Earth. They shoot a laser down into the atmosphere and they can tell you how many CO2 molecules are in that column of air. And this one does the same thing,” said Mr Hager.

“But here … I am scanning and creating a picture like a line camera.”

The system can detect carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and nitrogen dioxide with high accuracy.

It will also identify the vehicle licence plate number that will be used to assess technical information such as brand, model, fuel type, emission standard and vehicle weight. No personal information will be used in the study, said the authorities.

Edar will be installed at six different locations in Abu Dhabi; the Corniche, Mussafah, Muroor, Salam Street and Al Ain, and the testing period will last three weeks.

Abu Dhabi is embracing technology in an effort to reduce vehicle emission levels. Victor Besa / The National.
Abu Dhabi is embracing technology in an effort to reduce vehicle emission levels. Victor Besa / The National.

Road traffic a leading source of emissions

Oriol Teixido, a scientist working on air quality and noise at the environment agency, said road traffic was responsible for 74 per cent of emissions in Abu Dhabi.

"The reason is we have so many cars all around us, and it happens all over the world in big cities," he said.

"This project will help us understand not only the total contribution [of vehicle emissions] but also how much of it is from cars, from old vehicles, from motorcycles. This way, as government entities, we can plan for the future and enhance the environment of air quality."

According to the findings of the UAE Air Emissions Inventory Project, which looked at anthropogenic sources of pollution, industry is responsible for just over two thirds of PM2.5s, particle matter of up to 2.5 micrometres in size, with road transport causing almost a fifth. Power generation and desalination cause about 3 per cent.

Globally, the UAE is just below average for exposure to PM2.5, one of the key measurements of polluted air.

In September 2022, the UAE launched a National Air Quality Agenda 2031 to tackle air pollution in the country.

Mr Teixido said testing started in the industrial area of Mussafah because they wanted to understand the impact of lorries on air quality. “We will then move to Corniche area where there are lot of passenger cars.”

The initiative is part of the Integrated Air Quality Management Programme established by the agency.

Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the agency, said the project is a key step forward in Abu Dhabi's goal to become the most liveable city in the world.

“We know that the transport sector contributes to pollutants in the air and we want to be scientifically certain that we have the latest research at hand to be able to make correct and well-informed decisions,” she said.

The environment agency has partnered with Abu Dhabi Police, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Integrated Transport Centre and the Monitoring and Control Centre on the scheme.

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RACE SCHEDULE

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
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Saturday, September 30
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Sunday, October 1
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Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

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1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London

2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham

3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London

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Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.

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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850

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There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com

For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art. 

More information

For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com

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1. Fasting 

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Election pledges on migration

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Name: Marie Byrne

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Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption

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(Rotana)

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Camelpox

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Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung

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Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays

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Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
Updated: February 02, 2023, 12:45 PM`