Development of a Vehicle Air Pollutant Monitoring Device

The Vehicle Air Pollutant Monitoring Device was developed to mobilize the roadside anti- smoke belching operations and strengthen the capacity of the Local Government Units in developing local policies and programs on air quality. The prototype has a mobile application that enables the device to sense the carbon monoxide emission of the vehicle being tested, captures the plate number, locates the vehicle in real-time and sends the emission report via SMS and e-mail. Locally available materials were used in the fabrication of the prototype such as Arduino ATmega1281 microcontroller, MQ-2 gas sensor, serial camera and HC-05 Bluetooth module. The mobile application was developed using Basic4Android software. The prototype was tested for its distance sensitivity, accuracy and functionality. The result of the distance sensitivity test showed that distance was directly proportional to the carbon monoxide emission of the vehicle. Moreover, the emission reading of the prototype was 99% accurate as compared to the emission reading of the digital analyzer used in emission testing center. The functionality of the device showed that the serial camera, SMS and GPS were operational. Its performance was evaluated by fifteen (15) IT experts and environmentalists and fifteen (15) possible end- users which composed of motorists, emission testing technicians and law enforcement agency, according to its functionality, aesthetic, workability, durability, economy, safety and salability. The prototype gained an overall mean score of 4.58 with a descriptive rating of “Excellent” signifying that the prototype met its objectives and that the evaluators were satisfied of the outcome and capabilities of the device.

Keywords –air pollution, carbon monoxide, vehicle emission