How Smart Cities are Driving down Air Pollution with Smart Traffic Flow Optimization

According to the World Health Organization(*1), air pollution kills approximately seven million people worldwide every year. It also causes serious health issues, particularly for children and seniors while exacerbating issues for those with existing heart or lung conditions. And it also continues to affect quality of life, particularly for those living in urban areas, and results in increased healthcare costs.

But it’s not just individuals who are affected. Many of these pollutants also contribute to the erosion of metal, brick or concrete buildings or structures while carbon pollution from burning fossil fuels is rapidly changing the earth’s climate. Approximately 29 percent of these greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the transport industry, including cars, trucks, airplanes and other vehicles. What is more, this number is set to rise. Worldwide car sales hit approximately 66.7 million in 2021(*2) during the pandemic – and the growing desire for mobility means that this figure is expected to rise by a massive two-thirds by 2050.

To reduce traffic emissions in cities – there’s already been a great deal of progress in terms of minimizing the pollutants created by individual vehicles. Cars today produce 98-99% fewer pollutants compared to the 1960s, fuel is cleaner, with lead eliminated and sulphur levels significantly reduced. But the sheer number of vehicles means that there’s much more to be done.

As part of its promise to move towards a Trusted Society by deploying emerging technologies and data-driven solutions, Fujitsu is working with multiple cities worldwide to help solve this challenge.