A group of researchers from the University of Leicester will be implementing a new technology that can monitor how extra traffic during the London Olympics would impact pollution levels. The CityScan device can show comprehensive air quality readings for  every point of the city, including roads, playgrounds, and buildings. In addition, rather than displaying data for a single point, it can map out pollution levels and how its spread in 3D.

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London are expected to attract 11 million visitors from around the world for seven weeks. It’s predicted that there would be an extra 3 million car trips made on the busiest day. Team leader Dr. Roland Leigh of the university’s Earth Observation Science Group explained that:

We will be able to map the pollution in 3D to show emissions of nitrogen dioxide and how far they spread. CityScan makes the link between emissions and poor air quality downwind, enabling better management of the respiratory health of sensitive individuals.