Impact of the No-Driving Day Program on Air Quality in a High-Altitude Tropical City: The Case of the Toluca Valley Metropolitan Area

Abstract

This study addresses the pressing issue of urban air pollution impact, emphasizing the need for emissions control to ensure environmental equity. Focused on the Toluca Valley Metropolitan Area (TVMA), this research employs air quality modeling to examine ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide concentrations during three different periods in 2019. It quantitatively assesses the performance of a state-of-the-art air quality model while evaluating the efficacy of a No-Driving day mitigation measure program, similar to the one which is currently implemented in Mexico City. Using an updated national emissions inventory for 2016, this study highlights the model capability of representing ozone formation and shows that reducing mobile emissions of key pollutants contributes to lowering downwind surface ozone levels, albeit with a minimal local impact. The insights and tools from this work hold potential value for decision-making in the broader Megalopolis context, aligning with global efforts to comprehend and mitigate urban air pollution impacts.