With the theme of "AI Sand Source Recognition for Comprehensive Protection against River Dust", the Environmental Protection Bureau of Taichung City Government participated in the 11th Smart City Innovative Application Award organized by the Taipei Computer Business Association, and won the recognition of "Smart Government" in the category of "County and City Innovative Application" in the 2024 Smart City Innovative Application Award. The award presentation ceremony was held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center today (19), and Mr. Shang Wen-Lin, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection Bureau attended and received the award.

 Environmental Protection Bureau explains that during the fall and winter seasons in Taichung City, the Daan River and Dajia River basins enter the dry season, when the water level drops and the sand sources of the rivers are exposed, and the northeastern monsoon is prone to cause dust hazards around the rivers. Therefore, Environmental Protection Bureau grasp the potential location of river sand sources by unmanned aerial camera, and made a through cross-unit cooperation with Third River Management Branch, Water Resources Agency of Ministry of Economic Affairs to conduct the construction of prevention of dust raising in rivers.

 Environmental Protection Bureau pointed out that riverine dust raising is an annual natural phenomenon, so it is important to shorten the time determining the potential areas of riverine dust raising. In the past, it took 5 to 7 working days to manually determine the potential dust raising areas, but with the introduction of AI sand source identification technology, it only takes 1 to 2 days to complete the determination, which will provide the Third River Management Branch of Water Resources Agency with preventive and control measures against river dust raising and minimize the incidence of dust raising.

 In terms of public protection, the "River Dust Raising Intelligent Protection Network" was introduced to local village activity centers. When the PM10 concentration value measured by on-site micro-monitoring device is over 150μg/m3, the protection facilities (air purifiers, village broadcasting systems, spray systems, and LED running lights) will be activated immediately to automatically reduce the harm of river dust to the public. Through the assistance of technology, the public's satisfaction of river dust protection has improved in recent years, from 68% (2018) to 82% (2023), showing that river dust raising issue in Taichung City has indeed improved significantly.

 Environmental Protection Bureau Director Chen Hong-Yi said that although river dust raising is a nature phenomenon, the bureau actively promotes related preventive measures, including three-day forecast warning, the deployment of micro-monitors, the installation of intelligent water lines and intelligent protective measures. This year, the bureau introduce AI intelligent sand source identification system to quickly and accurately grasp the potential areas of river dust raising. Also, it can reduce the burden of cumbersome and routine work, and is helpful for science and technology law enforcement. Environmental Protection Bureau will continue to promote disaster prevention and relief technology, to build a safe and sustainable and friendly city.