Air quality mapping using PM2.5 sensors on urban buses

Six low-cost air quality sensors were installed on the front roof area of three buses to enable real-time monitoring of air quality across the city of Valladolid (Spain) over a 7-month period, capturing variability in meteorological conditions and emission sources. Prior to deployment, the sensors w...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: González-De-Castro, Inés, Viana, Mar, Ramasco, José Javier, Maín-Nadal, Aina, Moreno, Teresa
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:digitalcsic_::363d338f52cdc0dc4c6cb14c47c2e34b
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/427172
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/105032884045
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Urban air quality
Low cost sensors
Mapping
PM2.5
Sensors
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/12
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/3
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/17
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/6
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/9
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/11
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
Descripción
Sumario:Six low-cost air quality sensors were installed on the front roof area of three buses to enable real-time monitoring of air quality across the city of Valladolid (Spain) over a 7-month period, capturing variability in meteorological conditions and emission sources. Prior to deployment, the sensors were placed at a reference station in Barcelona (Spain) for validation and calibration. Measurements deviating by more than 30% from reference values were discarded, and correlation coefficients (R<sup>2</sup>) were calculated. After the monitoring campaign, the calibration procedure was repeated. The results (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.85) suggest that bus-mounted sensors can effectively support real-time detection of urban air quality changes and contribute to detailed air quality mapping. Integrating data from reference air quality monitoring networks (AQMNs) with low-cost sensor (LCS) systems can strengthen evidence-based policymaking and help refine regulatory frameworks aimed at reducing urban air pollution.