Tackling the largely ignored issue of emissions from vehicles and generators on construction sites, Emissions Analytics is teaming up with the Analytical & Environmental Sciences department at King’s College London on a three-year project based in the capital.

London is currently experiencing a boom in domestic and commercial development, as well as key civil engineering projects, such as Crossrail. However, a lack of reliable data means that there is no easy way of estimating the levels of pollution generated. This includes the amount of NOx and particulate matter, the by-products of combustion that are seen as a major contributor to urban health issues – including cancer, respiratory disorders and asthma.

Designed to help us better understand and document the levels of pollution generated, the project will investigate emissions from equipment on construction sites across London. Working with academic, industry and government partners, it aims to deliver scientifically ground breaking and policy-informing data.

As the world’s leading provider of real-world emissions measurement, Emissions Analytics will provide in-depth technical training on the Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) that the study will rely on.

Industry estimations believe that Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) emissions contribute approximately 10% of the NOx and PM10 emissions within London. However, these figures are derived from very little real-world measurement, instead relying on engine test bed studies and activity estimates.

The PEMS equipment will not only be utilised to assess the automotive elements of the construction industry, but also all relevant NRMM that is used onsite. Emissions Analytics has pioneered the use of PEMS in the UK, developing its own test scenarios and assessment models.

The three-year PhD studentship is funded by the London Low Emission Construction Partnership. It also aims to test emissions abatement solutions, and provide measurement for emissions moderation.