Local mobility measures for better air quality
23052
From 2023 to 2024
This study examined twenty mobility measures that local authorities can implement to reduce emissions of NO₂ and particulate matter, thereby improving air quality. TML carried out the analysis and developed a practical calculation method that enables cities and municipalities to estimate the impact of such measures themselves.
Road traffic is a major source of air pollution in cities and municipalities. While local authorities are increasingly keen to address this issue, it is not always clear which mobility measures have the greatest impact on air quality and where they will be most effective. In this study, TML and VITO assessed twenty measures that can reduce emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM2.5).
The analysis considered both local interventions, such as school streets or traffic filters, and municipality-wide measures that influence traffic across a larger area, such as circulation plans. For each measure, we examined how it affects traffic volumes and composition, and what this means for air quality, drawing on examples from Flanders and the international literature.
The study also developed a practical method for local authorities to calculate the potential impact of measures themselves, using the CAR-Flanders model together with additional calculation tools.
The results show that municipality-wide measures often have the largest overall impact, while local interventions can be highly effective at specific hotspot locations, such as along busy urban roads or near school gates.
TML was responsible for the analysis of mobility and air quality impacts and provided guidance to local authorities on how to assess mobility impacts themselves. VITO analysed the impacts on air quality and provided guidance to local authorities on how to assess air quality impacts using the CAR-Vlaanderen model.
Road traffic is a major source of air pollution in cities and municipalities. While local authorities are increasingly keen to address this issue, it is not always clear which mobility measures have the greatest impact on air quality and where they will be most effective. In this study, TML and VITO assessed twenty measures that can reduce emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM2.5).
The analysis considered both local interventions, such as school streets or traffic filters, and municipality-wide measures that influence traffic across a larger area, such as circulation plans. For each measure, we examined how it affects traffic volumes and composition, and what this means for air quality, drawing on examples from Flanders and the international literature.
The study also developed a practical method for local authorities to calculate the potential impact of measures themselves, using the CAR-Flanders model together with additional calculation tools.
The results show that municipality-wide measures often have the largest overall impact, while local interventions can be highly effective at specific hotspot locations, such as along busy urban roads or near school gates.
TML was responsible for the analysis of mobility and air quality impacts and provided guidance to local authorities on how to assess mobility impacts themselves. VITO analysed the impacts on air quality and provided guidance to local authorities on how to assess air quality impacts using the CAR-Vlaanderen model.
