The air quality monitoring equipment measures the gases and particulates pumped out of exhaust pipes and manufacturers claim it can tie specific emissions to particular vehicles – and even takes a snapshot of the registration plate as it drives past in case follow-up action is needed.

The device, the Accuscan 4600, can test up to 4,000 vehicles per hour as they pass through ultraviolet and infrared beams positioned on either side of the road.

It monitors the levels of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and the ‘smoke factor’ – a measurement technique specifically developed for assessing particulate emissions from diesel vehicles.

The system also records the speed and acceleration of the vehicle.

Enviro Technology, the company which distributes the device in the UK, will be joined by its inventor Dr Donald Stedman next Tuesday, June 20, at London Wall in the City of London, where they will be demonstrating it in action to local authorities and others interested in using it.

“Several major UK cities are interested in setting up low emissions zones and this kind of technology simplifies the screening of clean and grossly polluting vehicles without having to stop the vehicles to conduct the test – or having to involve third parties such as the police,” said Duncan Mounsor, technology operations director at Enviro.

“Remote sensing devices are the world’s quickest and most convenient form of motor vehicle emissions testing.

“The Accuscan 4600 provides a simple diagnostic solution for the ever present vehicle emissions pollution problem affecting our major UK cities.”

Anyone interested in attending the London Wall demonstration, which will take place between 11am and 3pm, should email Jackie.yarnham@et.co.uk

Sam Bond

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