Air Quality Sensors

Air pollution is a key challenge across the West Midlands, with the main pollutants of concern being NO2 and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). To date, the focus on addressing air quality in the West Midlands (by both the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the 7 constituent local authorities (https://www.wmca.org.uk/who-we-are/)) has been in lowering NO2 emissions; the predominant source of this is from road transport. The Environment Act (2021), which sets out the government’s framework for environmental legislation post-Brexit, has set new targets on addressing PM2.5 concentrations. These targets are for the annual mean PM2.5 levels to be of 10 μg/m3 or below by 2040, and for a population exposure reduction target of 35 % by 2040. Based on 2021 modelled baseline data by the University of Birmingham (UoB), 72 of the 192 wards within the WMCA would be in exceedance of this future target, which impacts 1.2 million people. Additionally, the least advantaged areas (highest IMD score) tend to have the worst air quality. Therefore, whilst tackling NO2 still remains a priority, there is a need to focus on tackling exposure to particulate matter pollution. In March 2023, the WMCA was successful in securing a DEFRA grant to support collaborative work by the WMCA and local authorities on improving air quality across the region and build on partnership working with the UoB. The purpose of the grant is to improve the knowledge of the people who live and work in the West Midlands about air quality, and outline steps individuals can take to reduce their exposure to air pollution. To do this funding will be used to deliver a behaviour change programme and also, for the purpose of this procurement, to deliver the following, tailored to the needs of the 7 local authorities.
Installation of a low cost sensor network across the 7 constituent local authorities within the WMCA. This will focus on areas where there is modelled to be high population exposure to PM2.5. The sensors will have clear signage to ensure the public are aware of their purpose, and where further information can be found. These monitors will bring reliable consistent data, currently lacking, across the WMCA.

Create a public facing regional air quality platform. The sensor data will feed into a centralised dashboard for the public to see near real time air quality data, and other relevant air quality datasets. Datasets could include, but not limited to, local air quality modelling data, low pollution walking routes, traffic count data etc. The platform will be integrated into a wider website which will also be a hub of educational and campaign resources in relation to air pollution.

The WMCA requires an air quality sensor supplier to deliver the following:
Supply, install and maintain a network of low cost air quality sensors; and
Develop and maintain a data transmission system which enables data to be transmitted from the sensors to the WMCA data warehouse. A system will then upload data onto the WMCA air quality data platform. Both the data warehouse and data platform upload will be the responsibility of the WMCA but it is expected the supplier will work with WMCA to ensure the process from the sensor to the dashboard is compatible.
It is envisaged that the term of the contract will be for a duration of 5 years.
It should also be noted that this tender process is for the initial installation and deployment of a sensor network. It is expected that further funding will be sought in the future to further develop and expand the network with the potential for local stakeholders to also build sensors into the network.