Abstract
In this contribution, we present an evaluation of different mitigation plans to improve NO2 levels in Andalusia, a region in the south of Spain. Specifically, we consider four possible mitigation plans: the effects over NO2 concentration of apply changes in the distribution of Vehicles Park; the effect of realize traffic restrictions (affecting to the density flow of vehicles) over highways and main roads; the effect of replacement of diesel use by natural gas in urban areas; and the effect of applying new velocity limits to access to urban areas. A sophisticated air quality modelling (AQM) system has been used to evaluate these mitigation plans. AQM implemented is composed on WRF meteorological model, an emission model created by the authors and CMAQ photochemical model. AQM analyzes mitigation plans during fifteen episodes of 2011 where NO2 levels were the highest of the year; so we analyze the effect of mitigation plans in worst conditions. Results provided by the AQM system show that: 1-h maximum daily NO2 is reduced to 10μg.m-3 near circulation roads when traffic restrictions and velocity limits plans are applied (NOx emissions are reduced in 9% - 15%); 1-h maximum daily NO2 is reduced to 12 μg.m-3 affecting all municipalities when changes in the distribution of Vehicles Park are applied (NOx emissions are reduced in 25% - 26%); and the replacement of fuel of urban buses does not affect considerably NO2 levels.
Highlights
Cities, which concentrate 50% of population in 0.1% of land area, generate the largest amount of gases and aerosols emitted into the atmosphere, influencing weather and climate [1]
Results provided by the air quality modelling (AQM) system show that: 1-h maximum daily NO2 is reduced to 10μg∙m−3 near circulation roads when traffic restrictions and velocity limits plans are applied (NOx emissions are reduced in 9% 15%); 1-h maximum daily NO2 is reduced to 12 μg∙m−3 affecting all municipalities when changes in the distribution of Vehicles Park are applied (NOx emissions are reduced in 25% - 26%); and the replacement of fuel of urban buses does not affect considerably NO2 levels
This work aims to investigate the effect on urban NO2 concentrations of four possible mitigation plans: the effect of apply changes in the distribution of Vehicles Park; the effect of realize traffic restrictions over highways and main roads; the effect of replacement of diesel use by natural gas in urban buses; and the effect of apply new velocity limits to access to urban areas
Summary
Cities, which concentrate 50% of population in 0.1% of land area, generate the largest amount of gases and aerosols emitted into the atmosphere, influencing weather and climate [1]. In urban areas and conurbations, the main cause of pollution is road traffic emissions associated with combustion and road dust resuspension processes [4]-[7] In these areas, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the pollutants having higher levels [8] in reference with the air quality standards In Spain, annual average values of NO2 are elevated in many urban air quality measurement stations with traffic influence [8] In this sense, scientific studies have demonstrated that exposure to a NO2 concentration higher than 150 μg∙m−3 by the population, can increase respiratory problems as inflammation [9], can lead to asthmatic responses in sensitive people to allergens [10] or even cause premature death [11]
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