Transport contribution to air quality

Indicator Fact Sheet (Deprecated)
Prod-ID: IND-106-en
Also known as: TERM 004
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Assessment made on  01 Sep 2003

Generic metadata

Classification

Topics:

DPSIR: Impact

Identification

Indicator codes
  • TERM 004
Contents
 

Policy issue:  Meet EU air quality standards set for protection of human health

Key messages

  • Road transport is the largest contributor to NOx emissions in Europe and the second largest for PM10. The data analysed from selected stations in major urban agglomerations indicate that both mean and maximum values of NO2 concentrations at road traffic stations appear to remain stable during the period 1999-2001 and are accompanied by a similar tendency in the background concentrations. For PM10 the situation appears more complex, since mean values at road traffic stations appear to remain stable, whereas the maximum values vary considerably over the same period. Both mean and maximum urban background PM10 values remain stable. Overall the decrease in emissions does not appear to have a significant influence on the air quality and the increase in the number of vehicles is off-setting the technological and fuel quality improvements.

Figures

Mean and maximum values of annual averages of PM10 for traffic and urban background stations Mean and maximum values of annual averages of PM10 for traffic and urban background stations Station pairs from capital cities were preferred, but when not available the next largest city for which data were available was chosen
Mean and maximum values of annual averages of NO2 for traffic and urban background stations Mean and maximum values of annual averages of NO2 for traffic and urban background stations Station pairs from capital cities were preferred, but when not available the next largest city for which data were available was chosen

Key assessment

Road transport is the largest contributor to NOx emissions in Europe and the second largest for PM10. The data analysed from selected stations in major urban agglomerations indicate that both mean and maximum values of NO2 concentrations at road traffic stations appear to remain stable during the period 1999-2001 and are accompanied by a similar tendency in the background concentrations. For PM10 the situation appears more complex, since mean values at road traffic stations appear to remain stable, whereas the maximum values vary considerably over the same period. Both mean and maximum urban background PM10 values remain stable. Overall the decrease in emissions does not appear to have a significant influence on the air quality and the increase in the number of vehicles is off-setting the technological and fuel quality improvements.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/transport-contribution-to-air-quality or scan the QR code.

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