International parcel delivery service provider DPDgroup has announced that it is to roll out a unique air quality monitoring program to 20 European cities over the next two years. The program will use sensors on DPD’s vehicle fleet to capture data on air quality in the cities.
The initiative has already been trialled successfully in Lisbon, Madrid and Paris. It is part of the group’s corporate and social responsibility program, DrivingChange. Yves Delmas, chief operating officer, DPDgroup, “The global community demands cleaner air and DPDgroup is in a unique position to help. We want to bring benefits both to cities, end-consumers and citizens.”
Talking about how the program has benefited Lisbon, Miguel Gaspar, deputy mayor, City of Lisbon, said, “This initiative is really useful for our city. It is a decisive project since it enables us to obtain additional key data and to identify green areas and hot spots in the city. Thanks to our successful collaboration with DPDgroup, we are able to improve air quality in the city, and thus have a positive impact on our citizens’ health.”
Air quality measurement is undertaken through a series of Pollutrack laser-based mobile sensors on DPDgroup’s parcel delivery fleet and facility network, such as pickup points and urban depots. The sensors collect data every 12 seconds. In addition to providing the group and authorities with data on air quality, the program will also benefit citizens as they will be able to check air quality levels at their doorsteps through a web-based interface.
To view a video explaining the program in more detail, click here.