Comparing Mobility-Based PM2.5 Concentrations and Activity Satisfaction in Beijing between 2012 and 2017.
Jingwen Rao1, Jing Ma1, Yanwei Chai2
1Beijing Key Laboratory for Remote Sensing of Environment and Digital Cities, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|January 21, 2023
Summary
Air quality improvements in Beijing correlated with increased activity satisfaction. This negative relationship between air pollution and wellbeing was stronger on workdays, highlighting the importance of real-time pollution data.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Urban Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research indicates air pollution negatively impacts life satisfaction.
- Comparative analyses linking mobility-based air pollution exposure to momentary wellbeing are scarce.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for enhancing urban wellbeing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate temporal variations in activity satisfaction and mobility-based air pollution in Beijing.
- To explore the dynamic influence of mobility-based air pollution on activity satisfaction.
- To compare the accuracy of real-time sensors versus monitoring stations for air pollution assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized space-time trajectories from two surveys (2012, 2017) in Beijing.
- Assessed mobility-based air pollution using monitoring stations and real-time air pollutant sensors.
- Analyzed temporal variations and the dynamic relationship between air pollution and activity satisfaction.
Main Results:
- Beijing's air quality improved between 2012 and 2017, coinciding with increased activity satisfaction.
- A significant negative relationship between air pollution and activity satisfaction was observed on workdays.
- The relationship was insignificant on weekends, and real-time sensor data proved more accurate than monitor-based data.
Conclusions:
- Improved air quality contributes to enhanced activity satisfaction in urban environments.
- The impact of air pollution on wellbeing is context-dependent (e.g., workdays vs. weekends).
- Future research should prioritize real-time air pollution assessments for greater accuracy in wellbeing studies.
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