Reducing Transport Derived Air Pollution in London - Dissertation Example

Shaping the city into an environment in which people want to spend their lives, rather than one that they feel the urge to get away from, is the urban renaissance’s primary concern. A city to be flourishing and sustainable at the same time needs to be appealing and environmentally friendly, with idiosyncratic communities and neighborhoods. However, more than anything else, as Livingstone put it “it must be a fair city, respecting and celebrating the diversity of its people” (2002). This introduction includes historical context and opens the subject of safety/industrial hygiene issues under consideration.

It is not enough to clean the streets and skies of London of the visibly polluted 'pea soup' conditions that prevailed 60 years ago, but ongoing attention to environmental preservation and reclamation becomes essential to prevent both irreversible damage and the gradual return to skies polluted by industrial waste. The potential for damage is not simply a concern for the flora and fauna of the natural environment, even though this has a bearing on the nation's food supply. Polluted air and water can also prove a health hazard for Londoners suffering from respiratory diseases and other ailments, such as the eyes. Leading to damage in the quality of life and life itself in some cases (Anderson and Anderson, 1999; Andres, 1988; Artridge et al., 1966; Bourcier, et al., 2003; Kennedy et al., 1998; Klopfer, 1989; Quay et al., 1998; Rahman et al., 1998; Schwela, 2000; Versura et al., 1999; Waheed and Basu, 1970).

For the reasons stated above this study considers the methods and approach of the Mayor of London in seeking to reduce air pollution in central London to below European Union thresholds. The study considers both the policy and the technological interventions.

• Project Aim and Objectives

This project aims to investigate whether the transport-related aspects of the air pollution reduction strategy adopted by the Mayor are effective. This aim is supported by the following objectives:

1. To analyze the trends in new car fuel efficiency and hence overall fleet efficiency in the UK.
2. To evaluate the relative balance and importance of strands of the Mayor’s strategy including:
3. To determine whether any actions by the Mayor have encouraged the reductions of the emissions characteristics of vehicles.
4. To determine whether programs for eco-driving have been effective.
5. To assess the value of some of the planning-related aspects of the strategy.
6. To analyze data on air pollution levels in inner London and specifically the trend of air pollution at three selected central London sites with high volumes of taxis nearby.
7. To investigate the potential impact of age limits for taxis on air pollution at selected sites in central London and to estimate different scenarios for future air pollution levels in terms of the age of the taxi fleet.