On January 13, 2025, Prof. Wang An and Dr. Zhang Zeyuan from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) visited the TRANS Research Group at South China University of Technology (SCUT). They delivered two lectures at the International Campus: “Universal Environmental Sensing and Its Applications in Dense Urban Areas” and “Traffic Emission Estimation in Mountainous Urban Areas Based on Multi-Source Data.”
Prof. Wang introduced PolyU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, ranked 2nd globally in the U.S. News & World Report 2024-25 rankings. The department focuses on sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration.
In the first lecture, Prof. Wang presented a low-cost mobile environmental monitoring platform used in New York City to measure PM2.5 levels, revealing disproportionate air pollution impacts on minorities and low-income groups. The study is published in Nature Cities and supports targeted pollution control and environmental equity.
The second lecture analyzed traffic emissions in Hong Kong’s unique terrain using multi-source data, including traffic cameras and geographic information. The research assessed the health impacts of traffic pollution and explored the benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles, providing insights for sustainable urban planning.
TRANS members engaged in discussions with Prof. Wang and Dr. Zhang, who offered valuable feedback. The visit concluded with a lab tour, showcasing the group’s research facilities.
The TRANS Research Group looks forward to future collaborations with Prof. Wang’s team in energy and sustainable transportation.
Draft: Chen Yongjian
Revision: Guo Haifeng
Preliminary Review: Shi Lanxin
Final Review: Ou Shiqi