Environmental Sensors
Boston uses small, connected devices called sensors that measure conditions in our urban environment to better understand how our neighborhoods are affected by heat, air quality, noise, and other environmental factors. These sensors support City- and community-led projects and inform public planning and climate resilience efforts. They help the City make data-driven decisions that improve health and quality of life. Boston prioritizes trust, privacy, and community engagement in all sensor deployments.
About Sensors
AboutA sensor is a device that measures specific environmental conditions (like air quality, temperature, humidity, noise, and more) and converts those measurements into digital data. Unlike cameras or audio recorders, environmental sensors deployed by the City measure only physical or environmental variables, not personally identifiable information.
Boston deploys a range of environmental sensors as part of pilot projects, community research, and day-to-day operations including:
- Air quality sensors: measuring particulate matter and gaseous pollutants along with meteorological variables such as temperature and relative humidity to perform “before-and-after” analyses on various projects to ensure that City investments reduce exposure and improve health outcomes in every neighborhood.
- Heat sensors: detecting urban heat variation to address heat vulnerability and inform climate resilience planning.
- Noise sensors: measuring decibel levels in key corridors to support livability and community health efforts.
Sensor data becomes more powerful when combined with community stories and local context, closing the loop between measurement, lived experience, and meaningful action. Environmental sensor data helps Boston:
- Monitor real environmental conditions to understand hyperlocal variation in air quality, noise, and heat that traditional monitors may miss.
- Inform planning and climate resilience supporting targeted strategies for healthier, safer, and more resilient neighborhoods.
- Engage residents and community partners to identify local hazards, select sensor locations, and co-design solutions.
- Guide infrastructure decisions and public health protections through targeted monitoring.
- Advance open data and trust making data accessible so residents, researchers, and planners can analyze outcomes together.
Privacy is a foundational value for Boston’s sensor work. The City only deploys environmental sensors that do not collect personal or identifiable information, such as pictures, video, or audio recordings. Instead, these sensors gather environmental data relevant to community-identified concerns. Boston’s Digital Trust initiatives emphasize ethical, transparent, and right-sized data collection that builds resident trust and protects individual privacy.
Map of Sensors
Current Initiatives
InitiativesEvaluating the air quality impacts of City projects. Currently, this network of sensors is being used to evaluate the local air quality impacts of road redesigns, including new bus lanes, green infrastructure, and pedestrian safety improvements.
- Sensor Type(s): Clarity Node-S
- Data Collected: Air Quality
- Learn more at:
Measure indoor air quality at all Boston Public Schools in order to improve classroom set-ups and note additional work to be done to reach optimal air quality and ventilation.
- Sensor Type(s): SGS Smart Sensor
- Data Collected: Air Quality
- Learn more at:
Capture data further inland within the City to better understand areas of inundation flooding that may not necessarily be influenced by coastal waters.
- Sensor Type(s): Hohonu Radar, Ultrasonic
- Data Collected: Water Depth
Partnering with the Boston Foundation and A Better City to evaluate cooling interventions in select locations and monitor heat indexes in both cool and hot spots across the City. This project measures moment in time data during the summer.
- Sensor Type(s): Kestrel 5400, Outdoor HOBO sensor
- Data Collected: Temperature, Humidity, Wind
- Learn more at:
Partnering with the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, Project R.I.G.H.T., INC, and Northeastern University to measure inequities in environmental hazards. This initiative supports collective engagement with sensor data through community workshops.
- Sensor Type(s): QuantAQ Modulair-PM, Anemometer
- Data Collected: Air Quality, Noise, Temperature, Humidity, Wind
- Learn more at:
Ways the City supports other initiatives
Keeping Kids Cool
- Collecting temperature data to ensure providers and carers can plan on how to protect themselves and young children during periods of extreme heat.
- Sensor Type: Govee
- Data Collected: Temperature
Community Clean Air Grant Program
This grant program supports nonprofit organizations leading community-based projects to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions while raising awareness of environmental and public health challenges. Funded projects contribute to Boston’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and deliver benefits to neighborhoods most affected by air pollution. Learn more about the Community Clean Air Grant.
Groundwater Trust Collaboration
- Measure Groundwater levels in the filled land areas of Boston, where there are wood pile supported structures.
- Sensor Types: In-Situ LevelTroll 500, Submersible Level Sensor, Transmitter Water Level Sensor Detector
- Data Collected: Groundwater level
- Relevant Data and Research:
Looking to Deploy Sensors? Here are Some Things to Consider
How are you engaging with the community on these sensors?
In advance of deployment, ensure you are getting feedback and hearing concerns from community partners and neighborhood organizations. Make sure there is clear messaging and public materials to share with the community.
Where are you installing your sensors?
Installation sites will depend on the sensor type, research purpose, and response from the community. Most commonly, sensors are deployed at street intersections, bus stops, or parks. For installations on City property or infrastructure, the relevant City departments (i.e. Street Lighting, Parks, Public Facilities, etc.) need to be involved. Keep in mind that some locations are managed by the State of Massachusetts. Reach out to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for guidance.
How are you installing these sensors?
Sensors cannot be installed permanently without prior explicit approval. Non-permanent materials should be used to install sensors, like zip ties or clamps. Clear signage and stickers should be placed near the sensor for public awareness.
Where is sensor data going to be stored? How will it be shared?
Sensor data should be stored in a cloud repository. Collected data should be made available to the relevant City teams and the general public.
A detailed guide on the City’s approach to Environmental Sensors can be found here. Please email climatetech@boston.gov with any additional questions or concerns.
