Publication
Title
The impact of street canyon morphology and traffic volume on NO₂ values in the street canyons of Antwerp
Author
Abstract
Air pollution remains a major environmental and health concern in urban environments, especially in street canyons that show increased pollution levels due to a lack of natural ventilation. Previous studies have investigated the relationship between street canyon morphology and in-canyon pollution levels. However, these studies are typically limited to the scale of a single street canyon and city-wide assessments on this matter are scarce. In 2018, NO2 concentrations were measured in 321 street canyons in the city of Antwerp (Belgium) as part of the large-scale citizen-science project “CurieuzeNeuzen”. In our research, this data was used to study the correlation between morphological indices (e.g. aspect ratio (AR), lateral aspect ratio (LAR), presence of trees) and the traffic volumes on a city-wide scale. The maximum hourly traffic volume (TVmax) and AR correlated significantly with the measured NO2 values, making them useful indicators for air quality in street canyons. For street canyons with AR > 0.65, a TVmax of 300 vehicles/hour was found as a threshold value to guarantee acceptable air quality. No significant correlations were found for the other parameters. Finally, a number of typical street canyon types were defined, which can be of fundamental interest for further research and spatial policy making.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Building and environment. - Oxford
Publication
Oxford : 2021
ISSN
0360-1323
DOI
10.1016/J.BUILDENV.2021.107825
Volume/pages
197 (2021) , p. 1-10
Article Reference
107825
ISI
000663167900003
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
AirTech'byDesign: Injecting Technology into Urban Design in the battle against Street Canyon Pollution.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 06.04.2021
Last edited 21.11.2024
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