Study shows virtual reality may help pedestrians and cyclists avoid harmful pollutants

Physics-informed virtual reality could be key to reducing the exposure of pedestrians and cyclists to harmful, non-exhaust vehicle emissions, according to a study published 25 Sep in the Royal Society Open Science journal.

The research led by the University of Birmingham targets the issue of major health risks and chronic diseases caused by exposure to unregulated particle pollutants from road, tire and brake sources by providing easy, accessible guidance to the public, policy makers, and city planners, through immersive VR experiences.

Detailed computational fluid dynamics models were used to simulate the release and dispersion of these particles from vehicles—which cannot usually be seen by the naked eye—in order to educate the general public about when they are most pervasive and the ways in which they can navigate their urban spaces more mindfully and safely.

The VR models were put to the test with members of the public in Birmingham city center: the second largest city in the UK by population, and, as a city, the second largest contributor to UK PM_2.5 emissions from brake and tire wear, based on data from the UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI).

Principal Investigator Dr. Jason Stafford from the University of Birmingham said, “Air quality plays a key role in the health and well-being of society. Despite the electric vehicle transition, harmful emissions persist through the release of small particles from brakes, tires and roads, into the air we breathe.

“Computational models can help us to understand the pollution pathways and identify those key moments in people’s daily journeys where exposure risk is highest. By making these non-exhaust pollutants visible within a virtual urban environment using our models, people were able to actually see the dangers with their own eyes and act accordingly in order to reduce or avoid exposure wherever possible.”

The research also outlines how the implementation of VR could lead to a rethink in town and city planning in order to encourage cleaner air. Dr. Stafford added, “Early analysis revealed that exposure risk to these pollutants was highest at the end of braking events.

“Unfortunately, this means that most bus stops, pedestrian crossings, and cycle lanes are within these danger zones due to them often being located at the braking zones of cars (e.g. road junctions) where the largest pollution dispersion distances are found.

“These outcomes highlight the air quality issues with current layouts, while also supporting the re-design and navigation of urban spaces for cleaner air, particularly situations where vehicle traffic is unavoidably close to pedestrians and cyclists.”