Air quality has improved in Low Emission Zones

New research exploring the effects of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Glasgow has found that while traffic flow has remained largely unchanged since the Zone was enforced, air quality has improved.

The study, co-authored by researchers from the Universities of Auckland, University College Dublin, and Glasgow, gathered hourly data from traffic sensors and air quality monitors in the city’s busy Hope Street and High Street within the LEZ to produce figures for the daily average NO2. Meteorological data, provided by the UK Met Office, factored in the wind effect on NO2 dispersal.  

Key findings of the study:

* A statistically significant reduction in traffic on High Street resulting in notable decreases in normalised NO2 levels of between 25%-27% on weekdays. We also observe a 35% drop of NO2 on weekends but do not find out significant difference in traffic flow.

* In contrast, traffic patterns on Hope Street remained stable, yet statistically significant decreases in NO2 levels of between 9-13% on weekdays were still observed, suggesting that the establishment of the LEZ discourages high emission vehicles in the city centre and helps improve air quality.  

‍Background

In common with other large UK cities, Glasgow has high traffic volumes from both private vehicles and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). In 2021 alone, the city had nearly 240,000 licensed vehicles, according to the Department for Transport Statistics. The resulting congestion led to elevated emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates from vehicle-related activities such as tailpipe emissions, brake wear, tyre wear, and road abrasion.

Responding to growing concerns about traffic-related air pollution, Glasgow City Council introduced a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city centre on 1 June 2023 with the aim of reducing pollution by restricting access to vehicles that do not meet strict emissions standards.  

Co-author of the paper, Qunshan Zhao, Professor in Urban Analytics in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow, said: “These early results indicate that while traffic reductions and the decrease of the high emission vehicles in some parts of the city may be contributing to improved air quality, other factors may also play a role. The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring to better understand the LEZ's long-term impact on both traffic and pollution levels across Glasgow.”

There are currently Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones in the following UK cities: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford, Bath, Bradford, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Sheffield, Southampton, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Media coverage:

The street where Scotland's first low emission zone has had the biggest impact on pollution (Web)
The Scotsman
Scotland's first low emission zone (LEZ) has led to some pollution being cut by as much as one third on one street, a new study into the impact of the measure has shown.

Traffic pollution levels drop in first year of Low Emission Zone (Web)
STV
Glasgow City Council's air quality report revealed that nitrogen dioxide levels in the city centre and LEZ area dropped by 20 per cent last year.

Glasgow Low Emission Zone 'improving air quality' (Web)
The National
A LOW Emission Zone (LEZ) is improving air quality in a Scottish city, new research has found.

STV Central East - 19 September 2024 18:09:18
STV Central East
Glasgow's air quality has improved in the year since the low emissions zone was introduced. Research by universities, including Glasgow, found traffic flow remained at a similar level to when the zone came into force in June last year.

Glasgow LEZ impact 'encouraging' as report shows air pollution drop (Web)
Glasgow Live - 20/09/2024
The first annual report since the LEZ came into force has revealed a 20% fall in nitrogen dioxide levels in the city centre.

Full paper:  

Shin, Hyesop, Eric Silverman, Yue Li, Ye Tian, and Qunshan Zhao. 2024. “Did the Implementation of Low Emission Zone in Glasgow Change the Traffic Flow and Air Quality?” Findings, September. https://doi.org/10.32866/001c.123382.

‍