In this contribution, we present an evaluation of different mitigation plans to improve NO2 levels in Andalusia, a region in the south of Spain. Specifically, we consider four possible mitigation plans: the effects over NO2 concentration of apply changes in the distribution of Vehicles Park; the effect of realize traffic restrictions (affecting to the density flow of vehicles) over highways and main roads; the effect of replacement of diesel use by natural gas in urban areas; and the effect of applying new velocity limits to access to urban areas. A sophisticated air quality modelling (AQM) system has been used to evaluate these mitigation plans. AQM implemented is composed on WRF meteorological model, an emission model created by the authors and CMAQ photochemical model. AQM analyzes mitigation plans during fifteen episodes of 2011 where NO2 levels were the highest of the year; so we analyze the effect of mitigation plans in worst conditions. Results provided by the AQM system show that: 1-h maximum daily NO2 is reduced to 10µg•m −3 near circulation roads when traffic restrictions and velocity limits plans are applied (NOx emissions are reduced in 9%-15%); 1-h maximum daily NO2 is reduced to 12 µg•m −3 affecting all municipalities when changes in the distribution of Vehicles Park are applied (NOx emissions are reduced in 25%-26%); and the replacement of fuel of urban buses does not affect considerably NO2 levels.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.