Real-Time Air Quality Index Detection through Regression-Based Convolutional Neural Network Model on Captured Images

Abstract

Our research addresses the imperative need for an efficient air quality monitoring and forecasting system to mitigate the significant health risks of air pollution. Departing from conventional binary data collection methods, we employ image-based techniques to overcome inherent limitations. A pioneering aspect of our work involves the development of a novel model capable of predicting six air pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, CO, SO₂, NO₂) along with Air Quality Index for Bengaluru, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu, achieving a commendable mean absolute error of 0.1432 on the test set. The efficacy of our approach is validated through a meticulously curated dataset comprising approximately 5455 images. We emphasize the significance of normalization by presenting outputs before and after, shedding light on the impact of parameters with varying ranges and strategies employed to mitigate such discrepancies. A detailed analysis of our model's best and worst outputs provides valuable insights into its strengths and limitations. To enhance user accessibility, we introduce an innovative image-based, real-time, user-friendly dashboard that allows users to conveniently assess a location's air pollution levels by uploading an image. This holistic approach offers a promising avenue for accurate air quality prediction and real-time monitoring.