THE EFFICACY OF LOW EMISSION ZONES IN CENTRAL LONDON AS A MEANS OF REDUCING NITROGEN DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS

Road traffic has a significant impact on air quality due to the emission of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide. The UK Air Quality Strategy has set an annual objective for nitrogen dioxide of 21 ppb not to be exceeded in any calendar year. To meet this objective, a low emission zone (LEZ) is being proposed to reduce vehicle emissions in London. Different LEZ scenarios in central London, including reducing traffic flow or modifying vehicle mix, are assessed. The authors use comprehensive traffic data and air pollution measurements to predict annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations. A complex relationship exists between vehicle emissions and ambient concentrations of the pollutant due to the non-linear atmospheric chemistry leading to the formation of nitogen dioxide. The authors conclude that even significant reductions in road traffic emissions will not appreciably affect nitrogen dioxide concentrations and that the costs of implementing LEZs may not justifiy the benefits in central London.

• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VH8-4465FJ5-3/2/24a1d750277702a5d76078c048ceb9b0
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13619209
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

  The Boulevard, Langford Lane
  Kidlington, Oxford  United Kingdom  OX5 1GB
• Authors:
  • Carslaw, D C
  • Beevers, S D
• Publication Date: 2002-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 49-64
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1361-9209
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Air quality management; Atmospheric chemistry; Benefit cost analysis; Environmental quality; Exhaust gases; Nitrogen dioxide
• Uncontrolled Terms: Low emission zones
• Geographic Terms: London (England); United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00821086
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Nov 26 2001 12:00AM