Every morning, Anicet Mbida gives us the very best in terms of innovation.
British researchers have studied the air flows at the edges of the roads, in order to develop a small barrier, capable of returning the particles of the exhaust fumes towards the road.
The innovation of the day may be a solution to automobile pollution. After the noise barriers, we will soon see anti-pollution barriers along the main roads.
It's good to have new options.
Because until now, we had on one side constraint and repression (alternating traffic, prohibition of the most polluting cars).
And on the other hand, we encouraged people to switch to zero-emission vehicles such as bicycles or electric cars, but the effect will be seen in the long term.
Researchers at Imperial College London have studied air flows at the edges of roads.
And they have developed a small curved barrier (less than a meter high), able to send exhaust smoke particles back to the road, while dispersing them.
You should know that today, they tend to accumulate on the sidewalks, right at the height of children.
This is perhaps a third path to explore, between coercion and renewal of the park.
Have we tested the effectiveness? Because there can be wind.
Yes, it has been tested.
There is even a pilot site in England.
But you are right, it can be windy.
In fact, it's like noise barriers.
It does not remove pollution.
It is simply reduced and moved.
But the researchers also showed that adding a small shrub near this barrier could actually absorb pollution.
So, not with just any shrub.
They found that the most effective was the cotoneaster.
In one week, a small hedge, one meter long, was able to absorb the equivalent of the pollution emitted by a car over 800 km!
It is colossal.
Imagine if there were any along a busy road.
We need new solutions.
Because even if the electric develops, we will still have to compose a lot of time with the exhaust pipes.