Feature
We need to understand how, where and when critical population
groups move and behave in order to truly attribute health-
response effects that recognise not only the level of exposure but
also the sensitivity of individuals to air pollution.
Big Data technology gives us the ability to analyse information
from data sets that are too large or complex to work with using
traditional techniques. For the purposes of this article, one key
advantage of this technology is that it allows us to anonymously
track individuals as part of larger populations. It is routinely used
to inform transport policy, using journey origin, destination and
travel mode, and can make links to qualities such as health,
wealth, and education.
It must be recognised that those most
sensitive to changes in air quality
are also least able to respond to the
measures required to improve it.
In reality, these are not rigid and discrete indices but truly holistic
values. Increased wealth tends towards higher car ownership,
greater range of travel, and higher levels of education and
social engagement, resulting in better overall health and lower
sensitivity to pollution.
It must be recognised that those most sensitive to changes in
air quality are also least able to respond to the measures required
to improve it. For example, a societal shift to low-emission
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BIG DATA SOLUTIONS
vehicles would benefit poorest individuals most – but they would
be least likely to afford it. Sensitivity is therefore needed when
designing interventions, with care taken to understand how they
will affect behaviour and lifestyle, and not just focus on air quality
in isolation.
GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT
Ultimately, a holistic approach that includes social and
behavioural feedback would inevitably change how we appraise
potential interventions. A holistic approach would use air quality
improvement as a mechanism to promote change and blur
the lines between specialist disciplines to deliver an informed
consideration of the knock-on effects. RACA
The Kazerne
Transport
Facility in
Johannesburg’s
CBD is one
of the first to
include an HVAC
system that
aims to ventilate
bus and taxi
fumes.
REFERENCES:
1.
2.
Air Quality News
University of the West of England
RACA Journal I April 2020
45