HEAVEN in Leicester
In Leicester HEAVEN supports network managers
and policy makers in assessing and managing the impact of
traffic on air and noise quality. New methodologies for assessing
Traffic Demand Management Strategies (TDMS) targeted at reducing
transport related pollution are being developed. These strategies
ensure compliance with legislation and the public dissemination
of information.
Leicester City Council as the Local HEAVEN
project manager is assisted by two institutes:
- The Institute for Transport Studies (ITS)
- the developers of the AVTUNE noise and WebCOMIS traffic
congestion models and,
- The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological
Institute (SMHI)
They are responsible for integrating the
background pollution, Street Canyon and noise models.
The HEAVEN Decision Support System (DSS)
has already played a role in the Local Transport Plan (LTP)
and Leicester's Air Quality Review and Assessment (AQRA).
These were both approved in 2000 and provide an outline for
progress over the next 5 years. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate
the relationship between the predicted nitrogen dioxide levels
for 2005 and the designated Air Quality Management Areas.
HEAVEN will also assist in the development of Air Quality
Action Plans involving Airviro and the TRIPS traffic model
to assess the impact of various TDMS. These will include a
city centre Low Emission Zone (LEZ), and encourage 'cross-administrative
boundary' participation and decision making.
Figure
7: Air Quality Management Areas
Figure
8: Predicted NO2 levels for 2005
HEAVEN application site
Air quality monitoring and modelling is being
developed within Leicester using the Airviro air pollution
modeling system. It incorporates real time traffic data, near
real time prediction and 24/48 hour forecasting. Data for
the system comes from a variety of sources:
- the UK Met Office provides meteorological
and pollution forecasts,
- the city wide pollution monitoring network
provides local real time air quality information; and,
- a meteorological mast provides local
data.
Through the HEAVEN project, the provision
of real time traffic data has been extended across the City.
A 'Street Canyon' model is being incorporated into the HEAVEN
system to further support pollution predictions. Future exploratory
work may include integrating a health database.In anticipation
of future noise legislation, work is continuing on the design
and development of the AVTUNE noise model. It will form an
important feature of the Leicester's Traffic Demand Management
system. The model will use real time monitored traffic and
meteorological data and other static data including network,
topography and emissions factors etc. (see Figure 9).
Figure
9: Sample Noise Levels for the Verification Area London Road(excluding
the effects of buildings; AVTUNE noise model)
The Leicester DSS will be implemented and
tested at two sites where roadside pollution and traffic monitoring
is already underway. London Road, where traffic enters the
city from neighbouring districts, has a high level of congestion.
Extensive research data is available along the 0.8 km verification
section.
The six month HEAVEN demonstration phase
will commence in 2002 on Narborough Road, the main road from
the motorway into the city centre. With high levels of congestion,
it has been designated an Air Quality Management Area (see
figure 11).
Figure
11: Narborough Road Demonstration Site
Various TDMS will be implemented in this
area (including using SCOOT).
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