EAD To Start Measuring Vehicle Emissions In Abu Dhabi

EAD will be using HEAT’s patented NASA Spinoff remote-sensing system, EDAR.

This will detect and quantify on-road emissions measurements using its laser-based overhead detectors in real time. The testing period will last for three weeks and be conducted across six different locations in Abu Dhabi, as highlighted in the report.

With this non-intrusive technology, EAD will be able to find out what gases are coming out of a moving car's tailpipe and how much of each gas is coming out.

This is in addition to identifying the vehicle licence plate number, which is used only to acquire technical information about the vehicle, like brand, model, fuel type, emission standard, and vehicle weight. No personal data will be used in this study, as mentioned in the report.

The initiative is a part of the Integrated Air Quality Management Program established by EAD.

The report says that the initiative will set a baseline for future policies and regulations, find the main vehicle classes and technologies that emit the most pollution, and help with the design of effective mitigation measures.

The study will also establish input data for air quality modelling and develop local air and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factors while enhancing academic research and innovation projects, according to the report.

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, said, "At EAD, our core mandate is ensuring the best quality of life for everyone living in Abu Dhabi and that our air quality is of the highest standards."

"This project is a major step in the right direction for us to contribute to the Abu Dhabi government’s vision of the city being the most liveable in the world.

"We know that the transportation sector contributes to pollutants in the air, and we want to be scientifically certain that we have the latest research at hand to be able to make correct and well-informed decisions,"  Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri added.

David Critchley, CEO of 4EI, commented, "At 4EI, we are immensely proud to work alongside EAD and HEAT on this important project."

EAD’s vision to be the first government agency to bring this groundbreaking technology to the GCC shows how high Abu Dhabi’s commitment is to cleaner air.

"4EI is committed to using remote sensing services for the betterment of the planet and humans—this is another example of how government initiatives and private technology and knowledge can come together in improving our environment,"  stated the report.

According to Yolla Hager, President of HEAT, this joint venture is paramount in setting up Abu Dhabi for even greater environmental success. They must look at the big picture and collaborate to achieve sustainability, with the public and private sectors working together to improve air quality by reducing harmful vehicle emissions.

EAD will also partner with three significant entities in Abu Dhabi, which include the Abu Dhabi Police, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), and the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC).

The project entails EAD remotely measuring vehicle emissions on the roads of Abu Dhabi using cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology.

Through the partnership, Abu Dhabi Police will be in charge of the technical information about the vehicles and managing traffic during the monitoring and data collection exercise.

As the report revealed, DMT will be providing the permits to place EDAR remote sensing equipment on the side of the road and will also manage all other authorizations and approvals. ITC will coordinate traffic flow information and site selection recommendations, such as toll gates, bridges, etc.

By using this advanced technology, EAD will be able to automatically process the collected data and coordinate with the concerned authorities to match the remote sensing information and data with those in the vehicle registration databases in the emirate.