Impact of robot trees to be assessed
An evaluation of the impact the so-called robot trees are having in the city centre is planned to be included an air quality report due to be published next year.
Also called CityTrees and moss walls, the units were installed in August 2021 at St Patrick’s Street near French Church Street and on Grand Parade near Cork City Library.
Using Internet of Things (IOT) technology, these pieces of smart street furniture are covered in a mixture of moss cultures that filter harmful pollutants out of the air.
During Monday’s Cork City Council meeting, Fianna Fáil Cllr Colm Kelleher asked officials if data was available yet.
“Can I ask the director as to why the relevant information/data on effectiveness of the so-called robot trees is not available 12 months later as was promised when they were launched?" asked Cllr Kelleher who launched the units when he was the lord mayor last year.
David Joyce, Director of Services, Roads and Environment Operations Directorate told Cllr Kelleher that air pollution is a “complex issue”.
He said the council is open to exploring new and innovative ways to tackle it. “Given the complex nature of the issue, solutions to tackle air pollution need to be multi-faceted and tackle the issue from many different angles. It is also important that Cork City Council embraces and indeed trials new and emerging technologies in live testbed environments.
“We have a responsibility as a public service body to assist and further important research and trial innovative technologies that, going forward, could help combat air pollution. It is also essential to trial new and cutting edge technologies and to be innovative, given our important status as a SMART City and a technology cluster.”
Mr Joyce also said in August 2021 Cork City Council launched an Air Quality Strategy document. This document details short, medium and long-term initiatives that will be delivered across the city with a view to improving air quality in Cork city.
He said: “It lists specific actions that will be undertaken, when combined will deliver meaningful results. Given the complexity of the causes of poor air quality, there is no one single silver bullet action that will solve everything. Thus, the strategy is like a jigsaw, with each piece (action) adding to the delivery of the ultimate goal. The moss walls project is part of Cork City Council’s continued efforts to improve the city’s air quality in the city by combatting fine dust, particle pollution as well as other pollution associated with traffic congestion.”
He added: “Cork City Council wants the Cork of the future to be built on the concept of quality of life, sustainability and resilience. The moss walls provide a site-specific solution to the challenge of air pollution and are one of a suite of actions in Cork's Air Quality Strategy. Air pollution is a public health concern and Cork City Council is the first local authority in the country to progress such an Air Quality Strategy. The moss walls also act as an attractive piece of street furniture or meeting point and have been heavily used as such since their installation.”
Mr Joyce confirmed that upon their installation, a commitment was given that the impact of them would be evaluated and the results of same published.
“It was made clear at that time that a full 12 months of data needed to be captured in order to make this evaluation meaningful. The impact of the moss walls may differ from season to season. Thus, without a full set of data (ie. 12 months), any evaluation would be meaningless and a waste of time. Now that the 12 month trial period has been completed, the raw data that has been gathered over the past 12 months needs to be processed, analysed and results/conclusions drawn from same. This process will take some time and is scheduled to take place during Q4 of 2022. It is therefore planned to include the evaluation of the impact of the moss walls in the Air Quality Annual Report which will be published in Q1 of 2023,” Mr Joyce concluded.