New analysis exploring the results of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Glasgow seems to seek out that whereas site visitors circulation has remained largely unchanged for the reason that Zone was enforced, air high quality has improved.
The examine, undertaken by researchers from the Universities of Glasgow, Auckland and College Faculty Dublin, gathered hourly knowledge from site visitors sensors and air high quality displays within the metropolis’s busy Hope Road and Excessive Road inside the LEZ to provide figures for the every day common NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide). Meteorological knowledge, supplied by the UK Met Workplace, factored within the wind impact on NO2 dispersal.
The examine discovered a statistically important discount in site visitors circulation on Excessive Road throughout weekdays, leading to notable decreases in normalised NO2 ranges of between 25%-27%. A 35% drop of NO2 on weekends was additionally noticed.
In distinction, site visitors patterns on Hope Road remained secure, but statistically important decreases in NO2 ranges of between 9-13% on weekdays had been nonetheless noticed, suggesting the institution of the LEZ discourages excessive emission automobiles within the metropolis centre and helps enhance air high quality.
Co-author of the paper, Qunshan Zhao, stated: “These early outcomes point out that whereas site visitors reductions and the lower of the excessive emission automobiles in some elements of the town could also be contributing to improved air high quality, different elements can also play a job. The findings spotlight the necessity for continued monitoring to higher perceive the LEZ’s long-term influence on each site visitors and air pollution ranges throughout Glasgow. Paired site visitors sensors and air high quality sensors may be set as much as assist additional perceive the relationships between site visitors flows and air high quality variations.”
In widespread with different massive UK cities, Glasgow has excessive site visitors volumes from each non-public automobiles and Heavy Items Automobiles (HGVs). In 2021 alone, the town had almost 240,000 licensed automobiles, in accordance with DoT Statistics. The ensuing congestion led to elevated emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates from vehicle-related actions reminiscent of tailpipe emissions, brake put on, tyre put on, and highway abrasion.
Glasgow Metropolis Council launched a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) within the metropolis centre on 1 June 2023 with the goal of lowering air pollution by proscribing entry to automobiles that don’t meet strict emissions requirements.
There are at present Clear Air Zones and Low Emission Zones within the following UK cities: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford, Bathtub, Bradford, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Sheffield, Southampton, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
