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Particulate Microsensor, Dashboard and Air quality Index
Challenge
Air quality onboard trains can vary across different areas, such as passenger areas, driver cabins and toilets. Monitoring fine particles can provide useful information to better understand onboard air quality and support the management of technical systems.
The challenge is to turn these measurements into clear and usable information for services and operators, supporting monitoring, reporting and decision-making.
The solution
Europe’s Rail (EU-Rail) introduced a solution designed to measure fine particles, display the information through a dashboard and provide services and operators with a synthesised view of onboard air quality. The dashboard can provide flexible and evolutive KPIs, charts, figures and real time data.
This solution includes fine-particle measurement using a low-cost microsensor and a dashboard including an Air Quality Index (AQI).
The Particulate Microsensor and Dashboard & Air quality Index is designed for:
- All use cases (passenger area, driver cabins, toilets…).
- All types of trains (tramway, metro, commuter, regional, high speed…).
- All platforms (new build, modernisation).
Readiness for Industrialisation and Deployment
A prototype has been tested on different trains for a defined period of time. The solution is not yet available for industrialisation, with certification planned for 2026/27.
Maturity level
TRL 6/7
Expected benefits
- Measurement of onboard air quality, including fine particles.
- Management of technical part such as HVAC systems on trains.
- Decision support to reduce pollutant levels onboard.
- Protection of passengers and technical staff.
- Onboard AQI value during travel and indicators for internal reports (Operators).
- A synthetised value of onboard air quality during travel (Operators)..
- Communication about onboard air quality (except for passengers).
Who benefits
Railway operators
Suppliers
Conclusion
By combining fine-particle measurement with a Dashboard and an Air Quality Index, the solution provides services and operators with a clear and synthesised view of onboard air quality. It supports monitoring, technical management and decision-making through real-time data and dedicated air-quality indicators.
Learn more about the project
FP4-Rail4Earth
This solution has been developed within the Europe’s Rail (EU-Rail) Flagship Project FP4-Rail4Earth. The project aims to is to improve the existing sustainability performance of railways, to build a more attractive and resilient transport mode and to contribute towards the objectives of a climate neutral Europe for 2050.