Environmental Research Group
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Applications
To date the LAEI has been used by ERG as the basis for a number of high profile studies
of air pollution problems in the capital on behalf of Transport for London, namely for:
The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Emissions Based Congestion Charging
Screenshot: average PM10 concentrations by postcode
Numerous emissions scenarios were tested as part of the development of the LEZ policy.
All of these were run using the LAEI and ERG's emissions and air pollution toolkits.
During the LEZ impacts assessment phase, scenarios became increasingly complex and included
changes in vehicle technologies (split by Euro class) as well as incorporation of particle traps,
use of hybrid vehicles, Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles and use of Selective Catalytic reduction.
Predictions were made up to 2015.
The impacts assessment of the Emissions Based Congestion Charging Scheme was also
undertaken using ERG's emissions and air pollution toolkits. The impact of the scheme
was assessed using alternative VED bands for private cars that reflected the changes in
vehicle size expected through the implementation of the new charging regime.
New data and new approaches
NO2 Emissions Inventory:
The work of ERG, in collaboration with ITS at Leeds University, has resulted in the first primary
NO2 emissions estimates to be made in the UK (AQEG NO2 report, 2007). This is highly relevant given
the recent evidence of increasing NO2 in London and its association with diesel vehicles and with
exhaust after treatment devices. It has further relevance not only in the
current and future prediction of NO2 but also for O3, both of which remain air pollutants of widespread concern in the UK.
3D Map of Air Pollution in London
The 3D pollution maps were created by fusing pollution predictions and 3D maps for London.
The 3D maps were produced by The Centre of Advanced Spatial Analysis at University College London.
The pollution predictions were created by the Environmental Research Group. The aim of the maps was
to make air pollution more understandable and accessible amongst professionals within the field.
Click here to see the 3D pollution maps on London Air
The emissions impact of alternative air pollution abatement policies in London
One area of active research within the modelling group is assessing the impact of using cleaner
fuels on vehicular emissions and air pollution concentrations.
In 2007, Shell commissioned the group to model and quantify the size of the local air quality benefits that could be
derived from introducing Gas to Liquids (GTL) Fuel (as a replacement for diesel) into the bus and taxi fleets of London.
Scenarios extending up to the year 2015 were modelled based on GTL emissions reduction factors produced by vehicle tests conducted by Shell.
In a series of articles in the medical journal Lancet, ERG’s modelling team contributed
to predicting the air quality impacts of a number of bold policy strategies aimed at
highlighting the health benefits of policies aimed at tackling climate change. Scenarios
considered included the modal changes from private cars to walking, cycling and buses, a
switch to alternative fuels for example running buses on H2 and the use of electric
vehicles as well as the use of renewable electricity for space heating in buildings.
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