Impact of Traffic on Health in Barcelona
A recent study by the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal) has revealed that a 25% reduction in motorized traffic could avoid almost 200 premature deaths each year in the city. The data indicate that this decrease in the number of vehicles would result in a 17.6% decrease in nitrogen dioxide levels (NO2), a pollutant that seriously affects public health.
Scientific and technological collaboration
The study, which has had the collaboration of Barcelona Supercomputing Center-National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), has used advanced models to simulate traffic emissions and their relationship with pollution levels. This innovative technology allows to analyze the impact of various variables such as traffic, weather conditions and urban structure.
Hypothetical scenarios and results
The researchers set up a reference scenario set in 2019 and defined three scenarios with different levels of traffic reduction. All scenarios included measures of the Urban Mobility Plan 2018-2024, which proposes actions such as the creation of superblocks and the implementation of low emissions areas.
Conservative stage
In the first scenario, although the total number of vehicles was not reduced, the exclusion of the most polluting vehicles was expected. This action could avoid 67 deaths per year and reduce NO2 levels by 5.9%.
Significant reduction in traffic
The second scenario, which involved a 25% reduction in private traffic, showed more optimistic results, with the prediction of 199 annual preventable deaths and a decrease in NO2 of 17.6%. This reduction would especially benefit the most polluted areas of the city center.
Electrification of the port
The third scenario included electrification of the port, which currently contributes 7% to the mortality associated with NO2. This plan is expected to be completed by 2030, and its combination with traffic reduction could result in a 19.4% decrease in NO2 levels, thus avoiding 228 premature deaths each year.
Challenges for air quality
Despite the positive results, the study emphasizes that none of the scenarios analyzed would comply with the new European air quality regulations that will come into force by 2030. Ana Ramos, researcher at Isglobal, emphasizes the need to do more to improve air quality in Barcelona.
An example for other cities
Mark Nieywenhuijsen, director of the climate program, air pollution, nature and urban health of ISGlobal, says that the results of this study can serve as a reference for other cities that seek to improve their air quality. In addition, Marc Guevara del BSC, indicates that these measures would not only have the levels of NO2 impact, but they could also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.