The remote sensing campaign in Flanders Region is part of a broader policy study led by Roel Vaneerdeweg. In this project, multiple international expert groups are combined with multiple national Belgian authorities. The aim of the project is the development of strategies to monitor vehicle emissions and enforce emission limits. In addition to the remote sensing campaign, the project involves legal assessment and data analysis.
Remote sensing and UVARs
Remote sensing is an appropriate technology for obtaining fleet-wide real-world emissions data. This data can help building public awareness and inform policy. This technology can be particularly useful to support the implementation of Urban Vehicle Access Regulation (UVAR) measures, such as Low or Zero Emission Zones.
RS demonstration
On the 21st of June, Partner Polis assisted to a live demonstration of the EDAR system, a laser-based technology for Vehicle Emission Testing developed by HEAT (Hager Environmental & Atmospheric Technologies). EDAR (Emission Detection and Reporting) is capable to detect and remotely measure the infrared absorption of all gases coming out of a moving vehicle, using a similar technology to active satellite remote sensing platforms. It measures and quantifies carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons including methane and particulate matter. It also measures exhaust gas temperature. The remote sensing testing campaigns used the system as part of the Real Urban Emissions Initiative (TRUE).
During the visit, Yolla Hager explained how the EDAR system works as it analysed the exhaust of vehicles driving along the Charles de Kerchovelaan street in Ghent. It is the first time the company implements this kind of campaign in Belgium. Other devices have been operating in Aalst, Bruges and Antwerp.
