Madrid City Council Research Articles

Early career researchers in Madrid Salud: Exploring intersectoral dialogue between arts and health

Madrid Salud, a public body of Madrid City Council responsible for prevention, promotion and community healthcare, initiated an early career researcher (ECR) in arts and health programme in 2017. This ongoing programme, in collaboration with Complutense University of Madrid, funded fellowships for Ph.D. students, supporting their training and research in the application of artistic methodologies within Madrid Salud’s teams and centres. This article outlines the programme’s implementation, emphasizing the significance of intersectoral actions for its success. Furthermore, it describes the experiences of ECRs within Madrid Salud, exploring how the arts contribute to contexts of prevention and health promotion.

Gaussian process-based analysis of the nitrogen dioxide at Madrid Central Low Emission Zone

Abstract Concern about air-quality in urban areas has led to the implementation of Low Emission Zones as one of many other initiatives to control it. Recently in Spain, the enactment of a law made this mandatory for cities with a population larger than 50k inhabitants. The delimitation of these areas is not without controversy because of possible negative economic and social impacts. Therefore, clear assessments of how these initiatives decrease pollutant concentrations are to be provided. Madrid Central is a major initiative of Madrid city council for reducing motor traffic and the associated air pollution in the city centre. This Low Emission Zone starts at the end of 2018, but the first fully-operational period corresponds to the second quarter of 2019. In this work, a methodology based on the Gaussian Process to analyse the evolution of Nitrogen Dioxide inside Madrid Central is undertaken. A Gaussian Process is a stochastic process suitable for interpretable model selection and predictions. Due to its probabilistic nature it provides error estimation at predictions. After the activation of Madrid Central, a relevant reduction of Nitrogen Dioxide has been observed. However, the role of the meteorology during this period must be ascertained to correctly evaluate the role of the activation of the Low Emission Zone against a prone weather. In this work, a model based on the Gaussian Process is trained with meteorological information to predict the concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide at Madrid Central, $[NO_{2}]$. This probabilistic description allows extracting statistical information on the reduction affected by the meteorological scenario and separately by the Madrid Central activation.

“Neighbohod Vulnerability and Disability in First Episode of Psychosis”.

IntroductionNeighborhood socioeconomic status seems to be related to functioning in patients with first episode of psychosis(FEP).ObjectivesThe present study aimed to assess if neighborhood vulnerability and risk of social exclusion could predict functional outcomes in people with FEP after controlling for other key variables identified in previous literature.MethodsA total of 137 patients with FEP (DSM-IV-TR criteria) and 90 controls comprised the study sample from February 2013 to May 2019. Functioning was assessed with the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule. Neighborhood vulnerability was measured using a multidimensional socioeconomic deprivation index; data for the index were collected by the Madrid City Council and based on the participant’s home address. Multilevel mixed-effects regression analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of neighborhood vulnerability on functioning.ResultsOur results show that FEP patients could be more vulnerable to the effects of neighborhood-level characteristics than healthy controls (B = 1,570.173; z = 3.91; Pc .001). In addition, our findings suggest that higher neighborhood vulnerability is related to greater functional disability in people with FEP, after controlling for other relevant confounders (B = 1,230.332; 2=2.59; P=.010). based on the participant’s home address. Multilevel mixed-effects regression analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of neighborhood vulnerability on functioning.ResultsOur results show that FEP patients could be more vulnerable to the effects of neighborhood-level characteristics than healthy controls (B = 1,570.173; z = 3.91; Pc 001). In addition, our findings suggest that higher neighborhood vulnerability is related to greater functional disability in people with FEP, after controlling for other relevant confounders (B = 1,280.332; z=2.59; P= 010).ConclusionsThese results highlight the importance of incorporating contextual factors into assessment of patients with FEP, since psychosocial difficulties observed In these patients could be partially related to the quality of neighborhood social-related resources.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Study of the Interrelations of the Concentrations of Six Tree Pollen Types and Six Atmospheric Pollutants with Rhinitis and Allergic Conjunctivitis in the Community of Madrid

Allergic pathologies of aerobiological origin, specifically those caused by exposure to pollen allergens, have shown a growing trend in recent decades worldwide. This trend is most evident in urban areas experiencing an incessant expansion of their territory. Several studies have shown an interaction between atmospheric pollutants and pollen grains, which implies a potentiation of the allergenicity of the latter. This study aims to analyze the possible influence, in the Community of Madrid (CAM), of the concentrations of six atmospheric pollutants (O3, particles PM10 and PM2.5, NO2, CO, and SO2), and of the pollen concentrations of six types of tree pollen (Cupressaceae, Olea, Platanus, Pinus, Ulmus, and Populus) on the episodes of attention of two pathologies, rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. The data collected came from the Air Quality Networks of the CAM and the Madrid City Council, the Palynological Network of the CAM, and the General Subdirectorate of Epidemiology of the Health Department of the CAM. Descriptive multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the interrelationships of the three variables. In most of the calculations performed, the adjusted R2 value is higher than 30%, and, in all cases, the p-values of the models obtained are less than 0.0001. All the models performed in the study period for allergic rhinitis indicate a reasonable correlation, and this is also true for almost all of the models calculated for allergic conjunctivitis. Moreover, it is allergic rhinitis for which the highest values of adjusted R2 were obtained. Pinus is the pollen type most frequently interrelated with conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis (followed in both cases by Olea and Populus) throughout the study years. In this same period, O3 is the air pollutant most frequently present in the models calculated for allergic conjunctivitis (followed by NO2 and PM10), while particle PM10 is the most frequently included in the calculations made for allergic rhinitis, followed by O3 and SO2.

Descriptive analysis of chemsex users undergoing treatment for addictions in the city of Madrid

Background: Chemsex has become a public health issue due to its consequences on physical, psychological, sexual, and social health. These stem not only from high-risk sexual activities, but also from substance use. The aim of this study has been to analyse the profile of chemsex users undergoing treatment for addiction, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as information about substance use and potentially traumatic events. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive analysis was conducted in a sample of 529 people undergoing treatment between 1st January 2021 and 30th June 2022 in the Centres for Addiction Treatment (CAD) of Madrid City Council. Results: Sociodemographic profile: Cis Men (99,1%), 39,1 years (mean), Spanish (60,9%), higher education (53,9%), employed (62,4%). Clinical profile: HIV + (59,8%), HCV (22,2%), STIs (75,5%), mental health diagnose (56%), PrEP (45,5%). Violence: history of violence (37,2%): hate violence (20,6%), intra-family violence (13,4%), intimate partner violence (10,6%), sexual violence (10,4%); sex work (10,6%). Substance use: polydrug use (65%), mephedrone (76,9%), GHB (41,8%), amphetamines and its derivatives (29,3%); intravenous use (49,7%), abscesses (18,1%), solitary drug use (35,1%), history of overdose (17,5%). Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that information about the profile and situation of chemsex users undergoing addiction treatment be systematically collected, and specific addiction-oriented interventions be designed in order to better adapt the treatment to their needs.

Telework and the limited impact on traffic reduction – Case study Madrid (Spain)

Teleworking has been proposed by organizations and policymakers as a key strategy to help reduce the number of commutes and boost employee satisfaction. Since telework may be linked to a tool to reduce traffic in urban areas, this research aims to determine the impact that telework has on traffic congestion in Madrid (Spain), given a post-Covid19 context in which many organizations have implemented teleworking in the long term. This study provides evidence that teleworking has had a limited favourable impact on traffic in the city of Madrid based on the correlation between telework implementation and the traffic data collected from 7.365 traffic sensors located in Madrid that are distributed and managed by the Madrid City Council. Covid19 represents an influx point with regard to telework implementation, allowing this kind of research to interpret the answer to the question. The results of our research, through regression calculations and Pearson's correlation coefficient, show that telework in the city of Madrid does not generate a positive impact on traffic during peak times proportional to the increase of telework, as expected based on the existing literature. However, there are other elements that influence the modal choice that may affect this correlation, considering that teleworking allows people greater residence flexibility and that residence location and distance to the workplace are factors that significantly influence the modal choice of transport.

The discursive construction of intersectionality in public policy implementation

ABSTRACT After three decades of intensive debate in academic and activist circles, intersectionality has progressively been adopted in public policies. Yet, the challenges of its application are still largely unexplored. This article adopts a discursive approach to study the process of policy implementation of an intersectionality-informed plan in Madrid City Council, Spain. The analysis of materials retrieved through interviews, a focus group, and participant observation enables us to explore how the technical staff interpret intersectionality and links it with other established approaches in equality and antidiscrimination law and policy, namely gender and diversity. We argue that preconceptions and positionality within the institutional structure deeply affect the interpretation of intersectionality and the subsequent action or non-action taken by implementing actors. Our study shows the challenges and opportunities to implement intersectionality in public policies that result from its discursive construction through the frames of gender and diversity.

When local business faded away: the uneven impact of Airbnb on the geography of economic activities

Abstract This paper investigates the unequal effect of Airbnb on the spatial organisation of economic activity in Madrid, Spain. Using establishment-level data from Madrid City Council and consumer-facing information from this short-term rental company, we find that Airbnb reshapes the urban space by encouraging tourist-oriented businesses, defined as businesses where tourists spend more than locals, at the expense of businesses primarily oriented to locals. These findings prove that short-term rentals do displace not only the local population but also resident-oriented businesses. Ultimately, our findings remain solid regardless of how we measure short-term rental activity and are not influenced by the growth of e-commerce or gentrification.

Neighborhood Vulnerability and Disability in First Episode of Psychosis: A Multilevel Study.

Objective: Neighborhood socioeconomic status seems to be related to functioning in patients with first episode of psychosis (FEP). The present study aimed to assess if neighborhood vulnerability and risk of social exclusion could predict functional outcomes in people with FEP after controlling for other key variables identified in previous literature.Methods: A total of 137 patients with FEP (DSM-IV-TR criteria) and 90 controls comprised the study sample from February 2013 to May 2019. Functioning was assessed with the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule. Neighborhood vulnerability was measured using a multidimensional socioeconomic deprivation index; data for the index were collected by the Madrid City Council and based on the participant's home address. Multilevel mixed-effects regression analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of neighborhood vulnerability on functioning.Results: Our results show that FEP patients could be more vulnerable to the effects of neighborhood-level characteristics than healthy controls (B = 1,570.173; z = 3.91; P < .001). In addition, our findings suggest that higher neighborhood vulnerability is related to greater functional disability in people with FEP, after controlling for other relevant confounders (B = 1,230.332; z = 2.59; P = .010).Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of incorporating contextual factors into assessment of patients with FEP, since psychosocial difficulties observed in these patients could be partially related to the quality of neighborhood social-related resources.

Obstacles to and opportunities for protecting human rights at the city level: The case of Madrid City Council Human Rights Plan (2017–2019)

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the concept idea of ‘human rights city’ and explores its practice. It starts from the concepts of human rights cities and subsidiarity to explain what a human rights city is and delves into the existing literature identifying the challenges to guarantee human rights in local contexts, such as the legal framework, education and training, the institutional structure, and the resources. Our article is based on an empirical-based study of Madrid Human Rights Plan (2017–2019). We carried out semi-structured interviews, focus group, and participant observation to grasp the obstacles that civil servants encounter in the implementation of the Plan. We identify five types of obstacles that we classify as conceptual, ideological, legal, organisational, and budgetary. Our study questions the idea that the local context, just because of its proximity to the citizenry, is the best equipped level of government to guarantee human rights. Without proper training and resources human rights can be lost in translation. Through the identification of such obstacles in a specific case study, we contribute to the academic debate on human rights in practice with the aim of fostering its guarantee in local contexts.

Implementing Intersectionality in Public Policies: Key Factors in the Madrid City Council, Spain

AbstractAlthough feminist scholarship has discussed intersectionality extensively, few studies have addressed its implementation in public policies. This article fills that gap with an empirical study of the obstacles and enabling factors in implementing intersectionality in the Madrid City Council. We focus on the multiple meanings, actors, and structures involved in translating policy planning into concrete measures. Through a content analysis of policy documents, interviews, focus groups, and participant observation, our qualitative study identifies five key factors that hinder the implementation of intersectionality-informed policies: the absence of a legal framework and precise guidelines; the multiple and contrasting interpretations of intersectionality; the lack of training; the compartmentalized work structure and culture; and the unavailability and misuse of data. These findings contribute to the scholarship on the implementation of intersectionality in public policies and provide empirical-based recommendations to overcome the identified obstacles.

Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Determinants of Adherence to Current Dietary Recommendations and Diet Quality in Middle-Aged Spanish Premenopausal Women.

BackgroundA healthy diet when approaching menopause could prevent some of the symptoms associated with the climacteric. Few studies examine adherence to current healthy dietary recommendations in middle-aged premenopausal women. Our objective was to analyze the diet quality and the adherence to the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) dietary recommendations in middle-aged Spanish premenopausal women, and to identify the associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study based on 1251 premenopausal women, aged 39–50, who attended to Madrid City Council Medical Diagnostic Center. Women completed an epidemiological and a food frequency questionnaire. Degree of adherence to the SENC recommendations was estimated with a score that evaluated null (0 points) and full (1 point) adherence of each specific recommendation. Associations were explored using an ordinal logistic multivariable regression model.ResultsRegarding food groups, the worst adherence was found for sweets, red/processed meat, olive oil and eggs. Most of the participants exceeded the recommended caloric intake from proteins and fats, and practically all of them showed vitamin D intake deficiency. The overall score ranged from 2 to 12 (out of 15), with a median of 6.0 (interquartile range: 5.0–7.0). Former smokers (OR: 1.38; 95%CI: 1.08–1.78), as well as those with higher educational level (ORSSecondary:1.68; 95%CI: 0.97–2.93, ORUniversity:1.82; 95%IC: 1.05–3.14), with two or more children (OR: 1.31; 95%IC: 1.00-1.72), with higher caloric intake (OR>2188.2kcal/day: 8.22; 95%CI: 6.19–10.92) and with greater physical activity (OR≥21METS−h/week: 1.29; 95%CI: 0.95-1.76) showed greater adherence.ConclusionsAlmost two-thirds of middle-aged premenopausal participants showed low or moderate compliance with SENC recommendations. Education, smoking, parity, and physical activity were associated with the degree of adherence to these recommendations.

Naturalising a heavily modified urban river: Initial habitat evolution in the Manzanares River (Madrid, Spain)

AbstractBetween the 1910s and 1960s, the segment of the Manzanares River in the city of Madrid was channelized to allow for intensive urban development and a series of barrages were built to maintain constant water levels and create the aesthetic of a large deep river. As part of a renaturalisation strategy for the river by the Madrid City Council, the complete opening of the barrages' hydraulic gates in spring 2016 allowed for natural physical processes to occur that, in turn, facilitated colonisation of newly‐formed habitats by vegetation and fauna. The present study evaluates the initial effects of the barrage gate openings on instream habitats through the analysis of (i) geomorphological, physico‐chemical and vegetation metrics, and (ii) hydraulic variables associated with potential preferential conditions for native fish fauna, whose populations were greatly diminished. This approach incorporates an integrative view of the multivariate nature of the fluvial ecosystem. Results show a substantial reactivation of habitat heterogeneity over a short timeframe. In addition, newly‐emerging habitat conditions, related to sediment activation, improved water quality and diversified hydraulic conditions, are promoting potential preferential habitats for native fish fauna. This study can help aquatic researchers and administrators in understanding how an urban river can evolve with a cost‐effective intervention focused on the recovery of self‐forming dynamics. This application of process‐based river restoration strategies to a heavily modified river can also lead to the improvement of its ecological potential, as required by the European Union's Water Framework Directive.

Translated article] Lipoatrophia semicircularis: Clinical study and follow-up of 76 cases in Madrid, Spain. Classification proposal

IntroductionThe clinical presentations of Lipoatrophia semicircularis (LS) vary, and diagnostic criteria are unclear. Several etiopathogenic factors, including occupational environmental ones, have been suggested. We aimed to describe a cluster of cases of suspected LS that started to appear in May 2008 among employees of the city council of Madrid, Spain. We report the actions taken by the council’s Occupational Health Service and propose clinical categories with prognostic implications. Material and methodRetrospective observational case series study including prospectively collected data from patients evaluated between 2008 and 2021 at the Madrid City Council STI/Dermatology Department. Information on measures taken by the Occupational Health Service is detailed. The recording of clinical variables for statistical analysis and the proposal of defined clinical patterns were carried out. ResultsWe studied the cases of 75 women and one man, most of whom attended follow-up visits for a median of 37 months. Local symptoms were observed in just 14.5% of patients. The cases were classified into 4 groups: typical LS, unilateral LS, band-like lipoatrophy in the lower limbs, and nonspecific LS. Clinical outcomes were more often favorable in the first 2 groups, in which 76% of patients achieved total or partial improvement of lesions (vs. 25.8% in the last 2 groups). LS was negatively associated with the presence of hypertrophic subcutaneous adipose tissue (P < .001). DiscussionTypical LS, which can often be unilateral, generally has a satisfactory outcome. The clinical characteristics of this form distinguish it from other types of lipoatrophy. Measures taken by the Occupational Health Service contributed to favorable outcomes. In this series, LS was not associated with marked subcutaneous adipose tissue hypertrophy in the thighs. Our proposed categories may help distinguish between cases of LS with a favorable prognosis and other cases presenting with skin surface depressions, which are often persistent.

Economic Evaluation of the Urban Road Public Transport System Efficiency Based on Data Envelopment Analysis

Air pollution resulting from massive urban development and increased use of private vehicles is a major environmental concern, with particular relevance in urban areas. Urban public road transport has a significant impact on shaping land use patterns, air pollution and welfare. It must therefore be efficient in terms of air pollution in order to contribute to sustainable metropolitan mobility and economic growth. This study proposes a novel and consistent data envelopment analysis, aiming to identify which urban public transport vehicle is the most efficient in terms of air pollution and therefore environmentally suitable for use in public road transport systems. The case of Madrid has been analyzed, as it is representative of other large cities, which have similar bus alternatives and the common objective of reducing air pollution. Madrid City Council data has been compiled by authors and assessed by a panel of twenty experts to determine the model criteria weights. The results show that the plug-in electric vehicle has the lowest pollutant emission values while delivering the highest performance. Useful recommendations are provided to support public policy decisions related to the complex relationships between urban land use, urban transport and air pollution in urban areas.

SARS-CoV-2 surveillance strategy in essential workers of the Madrid City Council during the first epidemic wave in Spain, March–July 2020

ObjectivesTo study prevalence of infection in essential workers of Madrid City Council by occupation, related characteristics, use of protective devices, risk perception, and main concerns about COVID-19 during lockdown.MethodsA total...

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis of Sustainable Urban Public Transport Systems

Urban public transport systems must be economically efficient and additionally environmentally sustainable. Available decision support systems, including multiple criteria decision models, allow identifying which urban public transport vehicles are acceptable and those that should no longer be used in efficient and environmentally friendly cities. Previous research has ranked urban public transport vehicles by applying analytic hierarchy process multi-criteria decision-making models, from economic and non-polluting perspectives. However, until now, the types of vehicles acceptable for fleet renewal have not been identified. This study proposes a consistent combination of the ELECTRE TRI multiple criteria decision sorting method and the DELPHI procedure, the objective of which is to identify which urban public transport vehicles are acceptable, taking into consideration a suggested sustainable threshold, which includes economic and environmental strict requirements. The proposed model is based on 2020 Madrid urban public road transport data, published by Madrid City Council, which were compiled by the authors, and assessed by a panel of 20 experts to identify criteria and factors included in the model. Findings help local administrations to identify which urban public transport vehicles should be progressively replaced by those classified as economically efficient and additionally environmentally sustainable.

The C-Terminal Half of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein, Industrially Produced in Plants, Is Valid as Antigen in COVID-19 Serological Tests.

BackgroundThe fight against the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a huge demand of biotechnological, pharmaceutical, research and sanitary materials at unprecedented scales. One of the most urgent demands affects the diagnostic tests. The growing need for rapid and accurate laboratory diagnostic tests requires the development of biotechnological processes aimed at producing reagents able to cope with this demand in a scalable, cost-effective manner, with rapid turnaround times. This is particularly applicable to the antigens employed in serological tests. Recombinant protein expression using plants as biofactories is particularly suitable for mass production of protein antigens useful in serological diagnosis, with a neat advantage in economic terms.MethodsWe expressed a large portion of the nucleoprotein (N) derived from SARS-CoV-2 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. After purification, the recombinant N protein obtained was used to develop an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in human sera. To validate the ELISA, a panel of 416 sera from exposed personnel at essential services in Madrid City Council were tested, and the results compared to those obtained by another ELISA, already validated, used as reference. Furthermore, a subset of samples for which RT-PCR results were available were used to confirm sensitivity and specificity of the test.ResultsThe performance of the N protein expressed in plants as antigen in serologic test for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection was shown to be highly satisfactory, with calculated diagnostic sensitivity of 96.41% (95% CI: 93.05–98.44) and diagnostic specificity of 96.37 (95% CI: 93.05–98.44) as compared to the reference ELISA, with a kappa (K) value of 0.928 (95% CI:0.892–0.964). Furthermore, the ELISA developed with plant-derived N antigen detected SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 84 out of 93 sera from individuals showing RT-PCR positive results (86/93 for the reference ELISA).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the N protein part derived from SARS-CoV-2 expressed in plants performs as a perfectly valid antigen for use in COVID-19 diagnosis. Furthermore, our results support the use of this plant platform for expression of recombinant proteins as reagents for COVID-19 diagnosis. This platform stands out as a convenient and advantageous production system, fit-for-purpose to cope with the current demand of this type of biologicals in a cost-effective manner, making diagnostic kits more affordable.

Lipoatrofia semicircular: estudio y seguimiento clínico de 76 casos en Madrid, España. Propuesta de clasificación

IntroductionThe clinical presentations of Lipoatrophia semicircularis (LS) vary, and diagnostic criteria are unclear. Several etiopathogenic factors, including occupational environmental ones, have been suggested. We aimed to describe a cluster of cases of suspected LS that started to appear in May 2008 among employees of the city council of Madrid, Spain. We report the actions taken by the council's Occupational Health Service and propose clinical categories with prognostic implications. Material and methodRetrospective observational case series study including prospectively collected data from patients evaluated between 2008 and 2021 at the Madrid City Council STI/Dermatology Department. Information on measures taken by the Occupational Health Service is detailed. The recording of clinical variables for statistical analysis and the proposal of defined clinical patterns were carried out. ResultsWe studied the cases of 75 women and one man, most of whom attended follow-up visits for a median of 37 months. Local symptoms were observed in just 14.5% of patients. The cases were classified into 4 groups: typical LS, unilateral LS, band-like lipoatrophy in the lower limbs, and nonspecific LS. Clinical outcomes were more often favorable in the first 2 groups, in which 76% of patients achieved total or partial improvement of lesions (vs. 25.8% in the last 2 groups). LS was negatively associated with the presence of hypertrophic subcutaneous adipose tissue (P<.001). DiscussionTypical LS, which can often be unilateral, generally has a satisfactory outcome. The clinical characteristics of this form distinguish it from other types of lipoatrophy. Measures taken by the Occupational Health Service contributed to favorable outcomes. In this series, LS was not associated with marked subcutaneous adipose tissue hypertrophy in the thighs. Our proposed categories may help distinguish between cases of LS with a favorable prognosis and other cases presenting with skin surface depressions, which are often persistent.

Managing Sustainable Urban Public Transport Systems: An AHP Multicriteria Decision Model

The current combination of sustainable social awareness and the improved decision support systems, including multiple criteria decision models for sustainable development, creates the need for more efficient and accurate public policy decisions based on available technology. The continuous growth of urban public road transport in large cities, and therefore the worsening of air quality, along with recent economic crisis derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, is forcing public administrations to analyze the viability of current models, taking into consideration sustainable alternative energies. This study proposes a novel and consistent analytic hierarchy process (AHP) multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model that combines both economic and environmental criteria, to evaluate public road transportation vehicles according to their alternative engine technologies and combustion characteristics. The proposed model has been applied to evaluate Madrid’s urban public road transport, based on 2020 data published by the Madrid City Council, compiled by authors, and assessed by a panel of 20 experts to identify criteria and factors included in the AHP-MCDM model. The findings illustrate the economic and environmental impact of alternative vehicles, show that the most sustainable alternative is the plug-in electric vehicle in economic and environmental terms, and assist policymakers and firms in future strategic decisions regarding sustainable urban transport policies.