Case Study: Certified Air Quality at Fiumicino Airport Car Park

The P1 car park at Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino is one of the most heavily used parking facilities in Italy: 3,200 spaces across 4 levels, an average flow of 6,500 vehicles per day, and a staff of 28 attendants working in continuous shifts. Before the intervention, air quality measurements recorded PM2.5 concentrations of between 185 and 240 µg/m³ at level −1, the most critical due to the lack of natural ventilation.

The Project: Objectives and Constraints

Aeroporti di Roma had two simultaneous objectives: improve air quality for workers (INAIL requirement) and find an option that generated revenue to offset operating costs. The Bufaga model — purification plus DOOH display — addressed both.

The main constraint was aesthetic: management wanted the devices to be integrated into the structure's design, not installed as afterthought elements. The Bufaga team developed a version with anodised metal finish and the airport's branding on the front of the totem.

Installation and Configuration

Twenty-two E-Bufaga devices were installed across the 4 levels of the car park, with higher density at levels −1 and −2 where concentrations were most elevated. Installation required 3 weekends of work (Friday evening to Sunday morning) with no service interruption.

The displays integrated into the totems were configured to show advertising content in rotation (16:9 format, 55", brightness 3,000 nit for visibility in artificially lit environments) and, in a dedicated window, real-time air quality data.

Environmental Results

After 120 days from installation, PM2.5 concentrations at level −1 had fallen from 240 µg/m³ to 69 µg/m³ (−71%). At level −2: from 210 µg/m³ to 61 µg/m³ (−71%). At the upper levels, where natural ventilation was already more effective, improvement was 45–55%.

Total PM removed in the first 120 days was 387 kg. The data was certified by SGS Italia and included in Aeroporti di Roma's 2024 sustainability report.

ADV Revenue Generated

With a flow of 6,500 vehicles per day and an average dwell time of 45 minutes per vehicle, the displays generate approximately 2.1 million impressions per month. At an average CPM of €10, gross monthly revenue is approximately €21,000. Net of Bufaga's fee and management costs, Aeroporti di Roma receives approximately €8,400 per month — enough to cover the operating costs of the entire installation with a positive margin.

Full Documentation

The full case study, including raw measurement data, SGS certifications and the economic model detail, is available on request to managers of airport and mobility facilities. Complete the form on the collaborate with us page.