Impact of Confinement on the Reduction of Pollution and Particulate Matter Concentrations. Reflections for Public Transport Policies

Abstract

Different initiatives have been implemented to improve air quality in large cities, such as encouraging travel by sustainable modes of transport, promoting electro-mobility, or the car-free day. However, to date, we have not found statistics that indicate to what extent the concentration levels of particulate matter PM 2.5 , PM 10 and nitrogen oxides ( NO x ) pollutants decrease as a result of public policy. We used official data from the Chilean Government’s national air quality information system (SINCA) for the Santiago metropolitan region and estimated the impact of the confinement by COVID-19 on the ambient concentration average values of NO x gases and particulate matter PM 2.5 and PM 10 , which are the main air pollutants produced by the transport sector after CO 2 . We found that in general there are significant differences between the average levels of gas emissions for 2020 compared to 2019. In particular, we found that, for the months of total confinement May-July, the monthly average levels decreased between 7% and 19% for particulate matter PM 2.5 , between 18% and 50% for PM 10 and between 34% and 48% for NO x . With the return to the new normality, these improvements in ambient concentration levels may be affected by the increase in private transport trips, due to the reluctance of citizens to return to mass public transport. Our results, therefore, represent the maximum impact that can be expected in reducing ambient concentration levels in the city of Santiago of Chile when a mobility reduction of gasoline vehicles is implemented.

The Effect of Environmentally Friendly Transportation Implementation and Supporting Policies on Air Pollution Reduction in Central Kalimantan

“…However, the effectiveness of these strategies may vary depending on contextual factors such as urban density, transportation patterns, socioeconomic characteristics, and institutional capacity [24]. Limited empirical evidence exists regarding the specific impacts of these measures in regions facing unique environmental challenges, such as Central Kalimantan [25]. Therefore, there is a need for empirical research to assess the effectiveness of green transport initiatives and policy interventions in mitigating air pollution and promoting sustainable mobility in such regions [26].…”

“…Promoting sustainable transport options such as electric vehicles, public transport, and nonmotorised transport can contribute to reducing air pollution and emissions of harmful pollutants [16], [25], [28]. Previous research shows that alternative modes of transport such as cycling and public transport have the highest efficiency in reducing air pollution [29].…”

A Study on the Effects of Applying Cargo Delivery Systems to Support Energy Transition in Agglomeration Areas—An Example of the Szczecin Agglomeration, Poland

“…This leads to considerable emissions of harmful substances, including: CO, CO 2 , SO 2 , NO X , PM 10 , PM 2.5 . There are numerous studies on transport-related emissions, including those authored by, e.g., Łapko et al [21], Strulak-Wójcikiewicz et al [22], Mikulski et al [23], Połom et al [24], Jereb et al [25], and Urrutia-Mosquera et al [26].…”