Sustainability 2017

Large cities are faced with constantly increasing pollution. But before cities can take specific measures against this problem, they first have to know where pollution is especially high. To this end, they require extensive data. As part of a pilot project in Nuremberg, for the first time, a method was developed that enables the analysis of traffic flows, and subsequently of air quality, using anonymised mobile network data. The approach is promising, which is why the methodology will be further developed in a follow-up project.

The overburdening of city transport systems is becoming an increasing challenge. But before cities can take concrete action, they need to gather precise traffic data. This is often very time consuming and expensive. A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO in cooperation with Telefónica NEXT and the data analysis specialist Teralytics found that mobile network data can make a positive contribution to transport planning.