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Researchers found that curved structures would more effectively disperse and reflect pollutants back onto the roads | Photo source Imperial College London
Roadside barriers deflect pollution from pedestrians
Researchers have developed a curved barrier to deflect harmful air particulates away from pedestrians and back onto the roads
Air pollution is becoming an increasingly dangerous global health challenge, which many researchers are working to tackle. The health concerns that have risen from poor air quality have proven to be more significant in lower-income communities, which are more likely to be situated near heavy traffic areas, and amongst children, who are more readily exposed to air pollution due to their proximity to the ground, where heavier pollutants settle over time.
The team then explored ideas surrounding urban design that would mitigate these vortex effects, and the result was the curved barriers. Inspired by airfield baffles and the curved sound-walls on German and Dutch motorways, the team at Imperial found that curved structures would more effectively disperse and reflect pollutants back onto the roads. Furthermore, these barriers will also mitigate noise pollution and would be able to act as scaffolds, to increase green infrastructure in large cities.
Written By: Serafina Basciano
Explore more: Health & Wellbeing Innovations | Science Innovations
In London, poor air quality causes 9,400 premature deaths and costs the health service between €1 to €3 billion a year. It is therefore vital that we find innovative solutions such as the curved barriers to mitigate these dangerous impacts. Imperial College’s invention is able to tackle these challenges head on, by providing immense benefits to the general public. Not only do they provide pedestrians with better air quality, but they also mitigate noise pollution and can add greenery into the infrastructure of cities.
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