Estimating environmental exposure of cyclists in Cork using limited sensing capabilities

Abstract

This paper presents a study on individual exposure of cyclists in Cork, Republic of Ireland, to air and sound pollution, along with vibration from cycling using relatively simple sensors. Cork is currently experiencing an increasing interest in cycling, and different types of cycling transects were covered in this regard with varied infrastructure and exposure conditions for air pollution, sound and vibration. Audio-visual records were maintained throughout this cycling campaign and to connect exposure observations with available infrastructure and traffic conditions. The study highlights how the variations of exposure conditions can be obtained with relatively easy instrumentation and how such observations can be related to decisions around cycling infrastructure even when the measurements are not of the highest standard and/or are sometimes missing. The method, observations and conclusions are relevant for understanding how low-cost, lower-quality sensors can still be relevant for assessing exposure conditions for cyclists.