Techno-Sustainability Framework

By Buhimila Mboja supervised by Dr. Mridula Sharma and Dr. Zeinab Teimoori

What are these PM readings?

The most dangerous air pollution is often the one you cannot see. PM2.5 is among the most harmful air pollutants. It consists of microscopic particles that can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, asthma, and premature death, with children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with existing health conditions facing the greatest risk. We provide live PM2.5 measurements to help you stay informed and reduce your exposure when pollution levels become unsafe.

TSF Air Score

Current air condition score

/100

Waiting for live PM2.5

Based on the highest live PM2.5 reading from online nodes.

Method: communication score based on live PM2.5. It is not an official AQI or AQHI.

Pollution Trend

PM2.5 movement

Waiting for two readings

Trend compares the latest PM2.5 value with the previous PM2.5 value from the same highest node.

Method: latest DATA packet minus previous DATA packet for the current highest PM2.5 node.

Did You Know?

Air pollution fact

PM2.5 means fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller.

Source basis: general PM2.5 public-health education from WHO-style air quality guidance and standard particulate matter definitions.

For Families

Waiting for live data. This section will help families decide when to open windows, go outside or reduce exposure.

For Schools

Waiting for live data. This section will support outdoor play, sports and classroom safety decisions.

For Outdoor Activity

Waiting for live data. This section will explain whether running, sports or long outdoor activity is practical.

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Highest PM2.5 Reading

PM2.5 concentration

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Active Nodes

0 / 0

Online

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SMS Subscriber(s)

Awaiting first subscribers

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Last Updated

Waiting

Live Nodes

Real-time air quality readings from monitoring locations.

ⓘ Masters of Science in Environmental Science, TRU

Alert and Communication Layer

Live public alerts, SMS enrolment, node ranking and message previews.

Current Public Alert

Waiting for live data

When pollution thresholds are crossed, this panel can support SMS alerts, dashboard alerts and simple public guidance.

Mask: Waiting for live data

Outdoor Exercise: Waiting for live data

School Environment: Waiting for live data

Highest Reading Nodes

SMS Communication Dashboard (Last 7 Days)

Overview of subscribers, requests and SMS alerts activity.

▣ Loading 7-day range

👤+

New Subscribers

👤×

Unsubscribed

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Status Requests

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Approved Alerts

Subscriber Activity (Last 7 Days) ⓘ

ⓘ Green bars show new subscribers each day. Red bars show users who unsubscribed each day.

Approved Alert Events by Type (Last 7 Days) ⓘ

ⓘ Only approved escalation and de-escalation events are counted here. Multiple SMS recipients from the same approval are counted as one event.

Status Requests (STATUS) – Last 7 Days ⓘ

ⓘ Number of STATUS requests received each day.

Subscribe to SMS Alerts

Receive a text message when air quality changes near your selected monitoring area.

You can opt out later by replying STOP. Alerts are linked to this TSF monitoring project.

You are subscribed.

Coverage

All nodes

Choose one location or receive alerts from every active monitoring node.

Community coverage

Live Alert Trigger

Moderate+

Alerts are sent when live PM2.5 readings reach your selected warning level.

PM2.5 threshold based

Example SMS

Air quality at the selected location is unhealthy. PM2.5 was 80 at 8:35 PM. Wear a mask outdoors and avoid heavy exercise.

SMS Commands

Use without internet

Text +1 (604) 670-9696

Save this number. You can check air quality or subscribe by SMS even when you are not on the website.

Subscribe to alerts
JOIN ALL or JOIN OLD
Use JOIN ALL for every node, or JOIN followed by a short location name.

Check live status
STATUS ALL or STATUS OLD
STATUS ALL returns the current hotspot. STATUS plus a location returns that node.

Simple location names
OLD, CAMPUS, MAKERSPACE

Stop or resume alerts
STOP / START

Help
HELP shows the available SMS commands.

Natural shortcuts
You can also text a location name, ask how a location is, or ask for air quality near a location to get the status.

Alert Rules

These rules explain when the dashboard changes message level and when SMS alerts can be triggered.

Good PM2.5 ≤ 12. No SMS needed.

Moderate PM2.5 13–35. Sensitive groups should watch conditions.

High / Caution PM2.5 36–55. Reduce heavy outdoor activity.

Unhealthy PM2.5 above 55. Public warning can be sent.

SMS Message Preview

This is the message style you would receive based on the current live readings.

TSF Alert: Waiting for live DATA readings.

Node Ranking by PM2.5

Highest current DATA readings appear first.

Recent Alert History

Recent DATA readings that would be useful for alert review.

Government Policy Simulation

Pollution-responsive parking and dynamic toll advisory

SIMULATION — NO PAYMENT COLLECTED

Live Parking Driver Advisory

Current Comparison

Waiting for both live parking readings.

TSF Decision Pathway

The framework converts live measurements into a government-policy simulation and a clear driver recommendation.

1. Sense

→

2. Compare

→

3. Price

→

4. Redirect

→

5. Protect Health

TSF Operational Decision Support

How the Recommendation Was Made

The system compares the latest valid PM2.5 readings from Campus Drive and Old Main Court. Drivers are redirected only when one location is at least 3 µg/m³ lower than the other.

Data Source and Decision Method

LIVE TSF METHOD

Data source

Latest valid PM2.5 readings from Campus Drive and Old Main Court monitoring nodes.

Comparison rule

Redirection requires a difference of at least 3 µg/m³.

Current comparison

Waiting for both live readings.

Decision status

No decision available yet.

Method: Each PM2.5 reading is classified, assigned a simulated toll, compared with the alternative location and converted into a driver action. The recommendation is advisory and does not measure available parking spaces or physically control access.

Parking Advisory and Toll Rules

The PM2.5 category controls the simulated toll and health warning. A difference of 3 µg/m³ or more controls redirection.

0–12Good: simulated toll $0. Use either parking unless the alternative is at least 3 µg/m³ lower.

13–35Moderate: simulated toll $1. Redirect to the lower-pollution option when the difference is at least 3.

36–55Caution: simulated toll $3. Direct drivers to the lower-pollution parking and reduce unnecessary entry.

Above 55Unhealthy: simulated toll $5. If both locations are unhealthy, avoid unnecessary vehicle entry.

How This Represents TSF

Driver action: gives approaching drivers a direct instruction.

Governance: demonstrates how a government-defined pollution category can set a dynamic toll.

Redirection: identifies the lower-pollution parking area when the measured difference reaches 3 µg/m³.

Health reason: explains why the lower-PM2.5 option is preferred.

Sustainability action: asks drivers to avoid idling and turn off the engine while waiting.

Research demonstration: Existing sensors emulate pollution-responsive parking signs. The toll is simulated, no payment is collected, and access is not physically enforced.

Understanding PM Pollution

What is PM, why does it matter and how can this system help?

These live readings are not just numbers. They show tiny air pollution particles that people may breathe into their lungs. This section explains the meaning before you read the dashboard.

What is PM?

PM means Particulate Matter

PM is tiny pollution particles floating in the air. These particles can come from wildfire smoke, road dust, vehicle exhaust, construction, industry, burning and other local sources.

PM2.5 is one of the most important readings because the particles are very small. They can travel deep into the lungs and some pollution components may enter the bloodstream.

PM1.0 is very fine particle pollution.
PM2.5 is fine particle pollution linked with stronger health concern.
PM10 is larger particle pollution such as dust and coarse particles.

The unit µg/m³ means micrograms of particles in one cubic metre of air.

Why monitor PM?

PM can affect children and adults

Air pollution is often invisible. A place can look normal while PM levels are rising. Monitoring helps people know when exposure may be higher.

Children: developing lungs, faster breathing, asthma flare ups, coughing, wheezing, reduced lung growth and more respiratory infections.
Adults: breathing irritation, bronchitis, reduced lung function, worsening asthma, COPD problems and higher stress on the heart.
Older adults and sensitive groups: higher risk when pollution rises, especially people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or other breathing conditions.
Long-term exposure: linked with heart and lung disease, stroke risk and increased lung cancer risk from air pollution exposure.

The goal is awareness, not panic. When people know pollution is rising, they can reduce exposure earlier.

How does this help?

It turns PM readings into action

This system measures PM levels using air sensors, sends the readings to the database and displays them as live information that people can understand.

Shows which monitoring location currently has the highest PM2.5 reading.
Helps families decide when to open windows, go outside or reduce exposure.
Helps schools adjust outdoor play, sports and sensitive student protection.
Helps outdoor workers and active people decide when heavy outdoor activity may not be practical.
Supports SMS alerts so people can be warned when PM levels rise.

Measure → Understand → Act

System and Data Quality

Trust matters. This section exposes timing, packet and signal information that supports confidence in the monitoring system and its communication pathway.

How the TIP flow works

Sensor → processing → communication → user response

Sensing

Nodes collect PM data and send readings to the gateway. This is the sensing layer of the framework.

Processing

Data is stored, classified and summarized into Good, Moderate and High conditions for practical interpretation.

Communication

Dashboards and possible SMS alerts present environmental information in a simple and timely way.

User Response

Users and authorities can adjust behavior, timing and local response based on pollution conditions.

About TSF and TIP

This site is designed as more than a sensor dashboard. It reflects the thesis logic behind the Techno-Sustainability Framework and Teletechnovision in Pollution.