9.4 Measures
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We will work with partners to improve air quality in Air Quality Management Areas |
Air Quality Improvement Measures
Measures considered in the development of an Action Plan will include those in the following table. Consideration will also be given to their wider environmental, social and economic impacts.9.4.1 Measures to address transport-related Air Quality problems
Table 9.4.1
Transport Mode |
Measure to improve the environment or capacity |
Cost of Measure |
Impact on Air Quality |
Integration with other Measures |
Economic Impact |
Social Impact |
Improvements to other priorities |
Cycling |
Extended cycle routes and improved cycle facilities |
Low |
Medium |
Good |
Positive |
Positive |
Congestion (C), Accessibility (A), Safer Roads (S) |
Walking |
Improvements to pedestrian facilities |
Low |
Medium |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A, S |
Public Transport |
Bus priority schemes & Quality Bus corridors |
Medium |
Medium |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A |
New and improved Public Transport |
Medium |
Medium |
Good |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A |
|
Better Public Transport information and real time at bus stops |
Low to Medium |
Low |
Good |
Positive |
Positive |
A |
|
Low emission Town Centre shuttle bus |
Medium |
Low |
Good |
Positive |
Positive |
A |
|
Highway |
Variable Message Signs |
Low to Medium |
Low |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A |
Major highway scheme |
Very High |
High |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A, S |
|
Park and Ride |
High |
High |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A |
|
Parking strategy and on-street parking enforcement |
Low |
Low |
Excellent |
Neutral |
Positive |
C, A, S |
|
Incident management system |
Medium |
Low |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A, S |
|
Traffic management; traffic calming and Local Safety Schemes |
Low/ Medium |
Medium |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A, S |
|
Air Quality Zone |
Medium |
High |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C |
|
Freight |
Improvements to the movement of freight |
Low |
Medium |
Excellent |
Positive |
Positive |
C |
Other |
School and Business Travel Plans |
Low |
Medium |
Good |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A, S |
Personalised Travel Planning |
Low |
Medium |
Good |
Positive |
Positive |
C, A |
|
Paving system that absorbs NOx |
Low |
Low |
Good |
None |
None |
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Promote the use of cleaner vehicles |
Low |
Medium |
Good |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Cleaner Vehicles
Cleaner vehicles and improved vehicle technology will assist in achieving air quality targets, although the rate of improvement is difficult to predict.
Improved maintenance of existing vehicles will be encouraged through voluntary roadside emission testing to be undertaken by District Councils in areas where there are known air quality problems. In AQMAs, Districts may also use their statutory powers to carry out compulsory roadside emission testing.
Advances in vehicle and fuel technology will produce low emission vehicles. Combustion technology will improve engine efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Improvements to exhaust systems will reduce emission of pollutants. Tyre design will improve overall fuel consumption.
Oil companies are producing cleaner petrol and diesel fuels. In addition, a growing number of vehicles have been converted to use alternative and cleaner fuels including LPG, CNG and biofuels.