Development of a GIS-based urban air quality modelling system for transport-related pollution

In recent years motor vehicles have become the dominant source of air pollution in metropolitan areas. Hence, the assessment of transport-related air quality is of major concern to policymakers and municipal planners. This paper describes an urban air quality modelling system for evaluating the environmental effects of transport related air pollution. A preliminary evaluation of the model has been performed for one site in Dublin using data from an extensive monitoring and measuring campaign. Observed pollutant concentrations compare well with predicted concentrations using local conditions, e.g. site geometry, traffic activity, meteorology, and vehicle population.