Supported By
Addressing urban air pollution in Pakistan through mobile, low-cost sensor-based monitoring systems for real-time environmental surveillance and policy support
Explore Technology
The Real-time Spatiotemporal Emission Mapping project addresses the critical environmental challenge of urban air pollution in Pakistan by developing and deploying a mobile, low-cost sensor-based monitoring system.
Implemented in Lahore, our system utilizes sensors mounted on electric vehicles to collect real-time air quality data, visualized via a web-based platform that provides open-access data to researchers, policymakers, and the public.
Our pilot deployment in Lahore, Pakistan, serves as a model for addressing air quality challenges in rapidly urbanizing South Asian cities.
Sensors mounted on electric rickshaws and public vehicles for comprehensive city coverage.
Targeting critical pollutants including PM2.5, NO2, and CO in high-traffic urban areas.
Working with Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Protection Department for policy integration.
Open-access platform enabling citizens to identify safer areas and inform authorities about pollution hotspots.
Primary Location: Lahore
Beneficiary: Urban populations
Future Expansion: Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi
Network: PERN (Pakistan Education and Research Network)
Libelium and Kunak sensor modules for accurate pollutant detection
Real-time data transmission to central servers via mobile networks
Precise location data for spatiotemporal emission mapping
Battery systems and vehicle integration for continuous operation
Live visualization dashboard accessible on desktop and mobile
Data hosting via Pakistan's national research network
Multidisciplinary team recruitment and training in sensor deployment, data collection, and system maintenance.
Installation of mobile sensors on electric rickshaws and public vehicles for citywide coverage.
Creation of web-based visualization tool displaying live air quality data with location precision.
Coordination with government agencies to ensure data compatibility and policy relevance.
Integration with PERN network for long-term academic, research, and public data access.
Lahore University of Management Sciences - Lead implementation partner
Technical expertise and regional collaboration partner
Pakistan Education and Research Network - Data hosting and access
Government partner for policy integration and validation
Technical coordination and network infrastructure support
Mobile monitoring infrastructure created using calibrated sensors for PM2.5 and other pollutants, offering low-cost, scalable environmental surveillance across Lahore.
Publicly accessible visualization platform displaying pollution levels with granular time-location precision, hosted via PERN network for wider accessibility.
Platform enables citizens to identify safer areas in real-time while informing local authorities about pollution hotspots requiring regulatory action.
Data sharing with Ministry of Climate Change and EPA to supplement existing monitoring infrastructure and influence sensor deployment planning.
System design and methodologies documented for replication in other South Asian cities facing similar air quality challenges.
Successful pilot serving as a replicable model for urban air quality monitoring across developing regions with similar environmental challenges.
Expanding our impact across Pakistan and the broader South Asian region through technology scaling and policy integration.
Scale up across Pakistani cities including Karachi, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi with local government integration.
Apply machine learning algorithms for predictive emission analysis and policy scenario evaluation.
Connect air quality data with hospital admissions and urban planning for evidence-based policymaking.
Share results with regional forums to scale the system across South Asia and similar environmental contexts.