Evaluation of the effects of traffic and heating reduction measures on urban air quality

A method is described that enables the user to evaluate the effects on urban air quality of reduction measures imposed on vehicular traffic and operation of building heating systems. The method involves the use of mathematical models for the calculation of urban pollutant (CO and NOx) emissions and concentrations. The models for the calculation of emissions from traffic sources and from distributed heating furnaces are based on a detailed inventory of the sources and their characteristics, and calculate the area emissions (mass of pollutant emitted per unit area) over the territory of interest. The dispersion models used for the calculation of pollutant concentrations at selected receptor points are modified versions of the EPA APRAC3 and ISC-ST models. A number of possible traffic and heating reduction scenarios for the Milan urban area are discussed as applications of the method.