Virtual reality can help reduce exposure to non-exhaust vehicle emissions

Non-exhaust vehicle emissions are caused by wear to roads, tyres and brakes and have been associated with conditions including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and dementia-related disorders.

Now, research led by Birmingham University has targeted the sources of non-exhaust vehicle emissions by providing easy, accessible guidance to the public, policymakers, 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 to educate the public about when they are most pervasive and the ways in which they can navigate their urban spaces more mindfully and safely. 

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The VR models were put to the test with members of the public in Birmingham, which is the second largest contributor to UK PM2.5 emissions from brake and tyre wear, based on data from the UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI).

In a statement, principal investigator Dr Jason Stafford said: “Air quality plays a key role in the health and wellbeing of society. Despite the electric vehicle transition, harmful emissions persist through the release of small particles from brakes, tyres 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.