The air in Rotterdam is cleaner and healthier than three years ago. A package of measures being taken (in 2015-2018) to improve Rotterdam's air quality is having positive results.
A few years ago, the air quality in Rotterdam was worse than in many other Dutch cities and areas. That is why the municipality, in 2015, together with residents and companies, drew up a package of measures. The package of measures had to result in 40% less soot (EC) emissions due to traffic in 2018 and a faster decrease in NO2 concentration. In addition, the municipality cleaned up its own fleet by 25%.
A few years ago, the air quality in Rotterdam was worse than in many other Dutch cities and areas. That is why the municipality, in 2015, together with residents and companies, drew up a package of measures. The package of measures had to result in 40% less soot (EC) emissions due to traffic in 2018 and a faster decrease in NO2 concentration. In addition, the municipality cleaned up its own fleet by 25%.
Solid measures, healthy results
Measurements and calculations by TNO and DCMR show that the emission of soot by traffic was already reduced by 36% in the middle of 2017. This is entirely in line with expectations and means that the 40% decrease in soot will be achieved in 2018.
The measures also ensure a faster reduction of harmful emissions from traffic. 16% less NOx was emitted by traffic. The decrease is mainly the result of the successful scrapping scheme and the banning of diesel cars from before 2001 and petrol cars from before 1992. In addition, more charging points for electric vehicles, clean city logistics and cleaner fuels for trucks, buses and shipping have been deployed.
To improve the flow of traffic in the city, the Rotterdam Mobility Agenda (RMA) was adopted in 2016. Visitors to the city centre are stimulated to park their cars at the P&R locations on the outskirts of the city. The public transport network has been expanded with, among other things, the night metro. The flow of the bicycle at busy intersections has improved and the number of bicycle parking places has increased.
The measures also ensure a faster reduction of harmful emissions from traffic. 16% less NOx was emitted by traffic. The decrease is mainly the result of the successful scrapping scheme and the banning of diesel cars from before 2001 and petrol cars from before 1992. In addition, more charging points for electric vehicles, clean city logistics and cleaner fuels for trucks, buses and shipping have been deployed.
To improve the flow of traffic in the city, the Rotterdam Mobility Agenda (RMA) was adopted in 2016. Visitors to the city centre are stimulated to park their cars at the P&R locations on the outskirts of the city. The public transport network has been expanded with, among other things, the night metro. The flow of the bicycle at busy intersections has improved and the number of bicycle parking places has increased.
A healthy clean future
The evaluation shows that the measures put in place do their work. The air in Rotterdam has become cleaner and healthier. This change is greater and achieved earlier than would have been the case without the measures in the Air Quality Note. Continuing the measures is necessary to improve air quality even further in the coming years.
