Building strategic, long-term air quality networks
Organizations are increasingly motivated to build and report on robust ESG plans, but
taking the first step can be tricky, especially when compliance with monitoring
regulations doesn't fully characterize corporate or environmental risks.
Sydney Airport's commitment to sustainability includes ensuring their operations
don't negatively impact the surrounding communities. While the airport installed
and commissioned their own on-site air quality monitoring station in 2018 in
accordance with regulations, a single monitoring station couldn't tell the full story - and
at their high price point, adding more regulation-grade stations wasn't a feasible option.
Plus, with nearby construction sites, off-site heavy industry, and a major motorway running
around the airport, under the runways, and near the monitoring station, it was difficult to
decipher where pollution was really coming from. They needed a strategic plan to better
understand and manage their air quality.
Infrastructure consulting firm AECOM conducted a complete review of Sydney Airport's operations
and relevant benchmarks to inform appropriate air quality measures. The plan included a
flexible air quality monitoring network with 7 MODULAIR™ sensors from QuantAQ.
Monitoring for unique logistical challenges
Sensors were placed around the airport, including along boundary fences, to monitor pollutants
spanning particulate matter (PM), NO2, CO, and O3. To determine
whether pollution from airport operations was contributing significantly to their overall
air quality, multiple sensors were used to triangulate the pollution sources.
Compact and low-maintenance devices were key to meeting the airport's unique logistical
needs. The MODULAIR™ sensors, capable of operating without a mainline power source
or disruption to the surrounding area, aligned perfectly with safety requirements. They
were similarly essential in providing continuous and accurate service, a critical feature
given the airport's access restrictions like security clearances and mandatory escorts, which
posed time-consuming challenges for on-site maintenance. One sensor co-located with the
existing reference station enabled the team's consistent confidence in the devices' accuracy.
"Minimal interaction was key for us. We don't have to be out there every three
or four weeks to calibrate or repair - we have continuous monitoring with
good uptime."
Easy data accessibility through the QuantAQ API has also streamlined how AECOM delivers
automated air qaulity reports to the airport's stakeholders. The team can customize their
data presentation to match client preferences, empowering clients to seamlessly dive in
and interact with each sensor's data as desired.
Leading proactive ESG measures
Through the network, AECOM acquired valuable insights to help the airport distinguish
emissions attributed to the motorway from their own contributions. Thanks to the
sonic anemometer - which measures wind speed and wind direction - and the precise view
into the local air profile from the QuantAQ sensors, the AECOM team and airport gained a new
understanding of the role the nearby roads played in the local air quality profile.
"The small meteorology station gauge on each sensor gives us the ability to
directionalize the pollution."
Over an initial 12 month period, the AECOM team ran the network to understand general trends,
including the seasonal changes in pollutant concentration. Now, they're evaluating the impact
of various airport zones, such as loading and unloading areas, which have higher traffic
and lower air circulation. Totaling less than half the cost of another expensive regulatory
station, the 7 QuantAQ units are a versatile solution that easily allows the team to
pivot their focus by relocating the devices through an easy setup process.
The swift implementation of this cost-effective project positions Sydney Airport as a
proactive leader in comprehending and enhancing its facility's air quality. With the
help of QuantAQ's accurate MODULAIR™ sensors, AECOM is able to inform the airport's
air quality management strategy.
