Researchers from Imperial College London say that a curved barrier could be designed to protect people from the damaging effects of air pollution. This research was inspired by airfield baffles and curved sound walls along motorways in Germany and the Netherlands.The curved barriers deflect pollution away from pedestrians and back onto the road. Source: Imperial College London

Health concerns from lower air quality are more significant among lower-income communities. Typically these communities are more likely to be located near heavily traffic-laden thoroughfares. Children are more vulnerable and readily exposed to air pollution because of their proximity to the ground, where heavy pollutants settle.

The team used airflow modeling techniques to study the effects that roadside structures would have in deflecting particulates away from pedestrians. Curved barriers deflect pollution away from pedestrians and back onto the road.

Researchers found that curved structures would more effectively disperse and reflect pollutants back to the road. This would rapidly improve air quality for pedestrians in an inexpensive manner. The curved barriers would also mitigate noise pollution and act as scaffolds to increase green infrastructure through large cities.

However, there are a few challenges in implementing this kind of urban furniture, with road visibility being an example. Researchers also said that it was initially difficult to convince people to get on board at first. But the team is confident that the net gain in air quality and health is significant enough to warrant implementing these ideas.

Ultimately the team’s focus is on reducing exhaust fumes, but they said that these barriers should be implemented now in order to protect children and lower-income communities.

This research was published in Cities and Health.