Air quality support to the Scottish Government
Case study - Scottish Government
Challenge
To support and evaluate Scotland’s air quality policies and provide the people of Scotland with air quality information in an easily understood format, Scottish Government commissioned Ricardo to establish and maintain a database and website of reliable air quality data for Scotland.
Approach
The Scottish Air Quality Database is a project that Ricardo has delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government since 2007. The project includes:
- Collecting and publishing air quality data (including providing quality checking and quality assurance) from over 90 automatic air quality monitoring stations on an hourly basis.
- Developing and managing the Scottish air quality website with real-time data
- Data analysis and reporting, including an annual summary newsletter and a more detailed annual report on air quality in Scotland are published and can be downloaded from the website.
- Development and provision of machine readable access point for air pollution measurement data.
- Education webpages and programmes for primary and secondary schools.
- National Air Quality Alert Service for Scotland (Know & Respond-Scotland) and Apps for IOS and Android.
Results
Mapping of air quality throughout Scotland is undertaken and modelled as part of project delivery, in addition to calculation of future concentrations. The air quality website provides comprehensive information on:
- Latest up-to-date concentrations across Scotland
- Reports and Analysis of trends and historical data
- Information on both National air quality policy and the work of local authorities
- Descriptions of what causes air pollution, how it is measured, and the relevant impacts
Measured data are analysed for trends over time to assess long-term changes in pollutant concentrations to inform Scottish Government policy and descision making, as well as the general public.