Course outline

Lesson 2: Identifying your site locations

Now that you have identified your project’s monitoring needs, you’ll want to determine where you’ll be monitoring.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

  1. Understand how your project goals dictate where you should collect measurements. 
  2. Identify where to deploy your devices.
  3. Address barriers such as site access permissions and safety.

Identify your site locations

In this course, we distinguish between two different types of sites you’ll need to select for your devices - what we call macrosites and microsites.


Macrosites are the general areas you are deploying your devices, identified based on your project goals. For example, if you determine that you want a device near a certain source, and you have access to placing a monitor at a neighboring church, that church would be the macrosite.


Microsites are the specific locations where you will mount your monitor at the macrosite, considering specific deployment guidance for the monitor you’re deploying. For example, if you are deploying a device on a lamppost at a church, the church would be the macrosite, and the lamppost would be the microsite.

Once you have determined your project goals, partners, and resources, it is time to identify potential monitoring locations, or macrosites. Identifying more sites than you will eventually need is generally good, as practical requirements will eliminate sites from consideration. Consider the following:

  1. How do I expect air quality to change throughout the area of interest? Consider spatial (space) differences and temporal (time) differences.
  2. Where should I put sensors to measure and show these differences?
  3. How might factors like wind impact how pollutants travel? Research typical wind flow in your area or consider adding a Clarity Wind Module or two to your network.    

Below is a table with some example project goals and how they would impact siting decisions:

Project Goal Siting Strategy
Assess the air quality impacts of a particular source
  • Place devices both up- and down-wind of the source location
  • Place devices at varying distances from the source
  • Place devices in locations where the exposure population is
Understand pollution exposure for sensitive communities like children and the elderly Place devices at daycare centers, schools, or nursing homes
Assess a policy intervention Place devices in areas impacted by the policy change as well as areas without the intervention
Have a general understanding of air quality within a community
  • Place devices dispersed relatively evenly throughout the area of interest
  • Capture a wide variety of types of sites where community members work, live, and play
Learn about air quality in countries without an existing regulatory monitoring network Deploy devices following similar guidelines as reference monitoring networks

 

Conduct a Site Survey

When possible, survey the site before the deployment date. This will help you identify the microsites, or exactly where you will mount the device. Clarity devices vary in size and power requirements. Refer to the siting guides later in this module to identify specific needs for your Clarity Node-S, Ozone Module, and Wind Module. Use those when conducting your site survey to determine the best microsite.

For example, some Clarity modules require plug-in power, while the Node-S most often operates on solar power. When deciding on a microsite for the Node-S, you want to determine whether the microsite has enough sun exposure to keep the Node-S operating. For the exernally powered modules, you’ll need to determine microsites with close access to an outlet. See detailed information about the siting requirements for the Node-S and Clarity modules in the later section, “Siting Your Clarity Devices”.

 It is often helpful to take photos of the site or draw diagrams to refer to later. Ask your Clarity Project Manager if you need assistance with this step.

4-2

Installation of four Clarity Node-S along a major roadway.

Secure Site Permissions

If your potential sites are owned or operated by someone not involved in the project, it is essential to reach out early to begin securing any permissions needed. Some site owners may require formal site access agreements. 

The following information will be helpful to discuss with the site owner:

  • Site Access: While maintenance is minimal, how will someone from the project team gain access to the site in case device maintenance is needed? 
  • Installation: How will devices be secured to the site? 
  • Communications requirements: Does the location have reliable cellular service?

Consider Site Safety

  • Is this site prone to challenging weather conditions? 
  • Is this site prone to theft or vandalism? Extra security, such as extension poles or metal hose clamps, may help.

Agree on roles and responsibilities

  • Who will maintain the sensors at each location? Will technicians vary from site to site, or is one technician responsible for maintaining the entire network? To make this decision, consider project resources, scope, objectives, and the technical abilities of participants. 
  • What types of training and access will be required for each user? 

Additional siting resources: Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems