Pioneering equipment spots pollution culprits in traffic

The pioneering new device was used for the first time in Rotherham to measure how much pollution traffic in the town is pumping out.

Now it will be used in other parts of South Yorkshire to work out how many vehicles are flouting pollution laws.

A roadside camera records a vehicle’s registration number, while a laser measures the pollution from the exhaust.

Unlike traditional exhaust emission testing, the measurement can be taken while the vehicle is moving.

Local air quality campaign group Care4Air said the new equipment would help build a picture of the extent of South Yorkshire air quality problems.

Spokesman Mark Daly said: “Each vehicle that passes through the marked testing area will be measured for the number of pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide, that it releases into the air.

“Having the emissions testing equipment at locations across the region will enable us to detect high-polluting vehicles and then address the issue.”