What are the Impacts on Air Quality of Low Emission Zones in Denmark?

Abstract

An evaluation and quantification of the effects for emissions and air quality of introduction of low emission zones in Denmark have been performed using a combination of air quality measurements, dispersion modelling and registration of vehicle number plates. An analysis of measurements of air quality at H.C. Andersens Boulevard in Copenhagen before and after introduction of the low emission zone has been carried out to isolate the effect of the low emission zone. Measurements at selected street and urban background stations have been used to evaluate the performance of the air quality models applied for assessment of the impacts of the low emission zones in selected streets in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg. Video recording of vehicle number plates at the street of Åboulevard in Copenhagen was carried out for long periods in 2008/09 and 2010/11, and the number plate information is coupled to the vehicle information from the Central Registry of Motor Vehicles. This method allows for evaluation of how the requirements of the low emission zones influence the distribution of Euro emission classes of affected heavy-duty vehicles and hence the vehicle emission.