Project Overview
Particulate matter is a major air pollutant, with PM2.5 classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Group 1 carcinogen. Dust generated during construction is a primary source of particulate pollution. In special areas, such as traffic arteries, aviation zones, or densely populated regions, construction often needs to proceed while maintaining the operation of existing facilities. In these cases, controlling dust to mitigate particulate pollution, health hazards, air quality deterioration, and even flight safety concerns becomes critical.
As the gateway to the nation, Taoyuan City and its airport represent Taiwan’s first impression to international visitors. With the visibility of ongoing construction activities, the Department of Environmental Protection set a national precedent by introducing the AI Dust Suppression and Sprinkling Management System for Construction at the Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 3 Project in January 2023. This demonstration project targets high-pollution work zones, employing dual-mode pollution recognition and automatic control mechanisms, marking a milestone in smart air pollution control for construction projects. In 2023, the airport construction leveraged this system to successfully address dust pollution issues caused by excavation and vehicle movement. The system enabled construction management teams to monitor pollution issues and improvement outcomes in real time, reducing the reliance on labor-intensive dust nets and water trucks. Additionally, construction wastewater was recycled for dust suppression, and solar power was used to operate AI sensors, enhancing environmental benefits. The system’s large-scale automated spraying effectively controlled pollution in the impacted areas, significantly mitigating the environmental effects of construction activities.
Implementation Benefits
(1) Reusable Hardware Saves Environmental Costs
The hardware equipment includes air quality micro-sensors, dust detection systems, cloud-based management systems, automated sprinklers, central control equipment, and 5G network transmission. Taking the approximately 1.5-hectare area at Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 3 as an example, the setup (including relocation) and maintenance costs amount to approximately NT$1.6 million. This includes three sensor units, one CCTV dual-mode recognition system costing around NT$250,000, a remote platform and maintenance fee of NT$300,000 annually, 800 meters of water piping with 19 sprinklers, three water towers costing NT$1 million, and NT$50,000 for network transmission. The developer leveraged the construction site’s topography to install a 700-meter automated sprinkler system along the excavation edge, with sprinklers placed every 30 meters. Each sprinkler covers a radius of 25 meters, effectively irrigating approximately 1.8 hectares of exposed areas. The system’s modular design allows for dismantling and reuse when the construction zone shifts, eliminating the need for labor-intensive dust nets, water trucks (including water supply and drivers), and waste disposal costs. Over the construction period, this system reduced air pollution control expenses by an estimated NT$6.75 million.
(2) AI Dual-Mode Pollution Detection and Smart Management Responsiveness
The system enables remote control to minimize human exposure to polluted environments. When sensors detect particulate matter concentrations exceeding the alert threshold, the system activates sprinklers within one second to suppress dust and reduce PM2.5 emissions from construction activities. This eliminates the need for vehicle-based water spraying, thereby avoiding additional emissions of CO2, NOx, HC, and PM. Moreover, the automated sprinkling system adjusts watering duration based on particulate pollution levels, optimizing water usage efficiency.
(3) “Five Savings” in Economic Costs and “Five Reductions” for Environmental Sustainability
Using this system for a two-year construction period (spanning 17 hectares) at Taoyuan International Airport demonstrates significant benefits: labor savings of approximately 3,000 person-times, water savings of around 60 metric tons, a reduction of 94 metric tons in carbon emissions, and the elimination of waste disposal costs. Additionally, all equipment and materials are 100% reusable. This system achieves the “Five Reductions” of sustainability: reduced energy use, carbon emissions, nitrogen emissions, dust, and waste. It ensures that construction projects integrate green energy development and net-zero carbon emissions during their execution phases. The system’s “Five Savings” features—time, electricity, water, money, and labor—result in notable economic efficiencies while effectively protecting worker health. These advantages encourage companies to actively adopt the system through public-private partnerships, improving workplace safety and enhancing air quality.