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In this Briefing Note, we summarise recent scientific evidence on air pollution exposure experienced by people travelling by different surface transport modes: including road, rail, and active travel (walking and cycling). We also consider which factors influence pollutant exposure within each mode ...
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In this Briefing Note, we summarise recent scientific evidence on air pollution exposure experienced by people travelling by different surface transport modes: including road, rail, and active travel (walking and cycling). We also consider which factors influence pollutant exposure within each mode and provide recommendations to mitigate against adverse health impacts.

Low Emission Zones – also known as Clean Air Zones – aim to achieve compliance with legal air quality objectives by discouraging the use of highly polluting vehicles in urban areas. This briefing note examines current knowledge as to whether these initiatives work, gaps in our understanding and less...
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Low Emission Zones – also known as Clean Air Zones – aim to achieve compliance with legal air quality objectives by discouraging the use of highly polluting vehicles in urban areas. This briefing note examines current knowledge as to whether these initiatives work, gaps in our understanding and lessons for future place-based air quality solutions.

Improving air quality by lowering vehicle emissions is important for public health. Limiting vehicle speeds on the UK strategic road network can reduce individual vehicle exhaust emissions, however, there are implications for driver behaviour and traffic congestion patterns. This briefing note exami...
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Improving air quality by lowering vehicle emissions is important for public health. Limiting vehicle speeds on the UK strategic road network can reduce individual vehicle exhaust emissions, however, there are implications for driver behaviour and traffic congestion patterns. This briefing note examines the current evidence for speed limit reduction to benefit air quality and health and provides recommendations for future priority research. Recommended citation: Lacey, S., Zhong, J., Ghaffarpasand, O. and Bartington, S.E. (2023). ‘Speed limits, air quality and health’, TRANSITION Clean Air Network, Birmingham, UK

Freight transport (movement of goods and bulk cargo) plays a fundamental role in supporting supply chains both domestically and internationally. The strategic importance of the UK freight sector was signified by the inclusion of logistics workers as “key workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic [1]. In...
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Freight transport (movement of goods and bulk cargo) plays a fundamental role in supporting supply chains both domestically and internationally. The strategic importance of the UK freight sector was signified by the inclusion of logistics workers as “key workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic [1]. International freight is also vital for the UK economy which is highly reliant on international trade; the trade-to-GDP ratio stood at 55% during the year 2021 [2]. To achieve the UK’s net zero target, the inland freight sector will need to rapidly decarbonise, including modal shift from road to rail and harnessing advances in new technology. This policy briefing note outlines the status of rail freight in the UK, considering benefits of a modal shift from road to rail. It also identifies future interventions that could decarbonise the UK’s freight sector by 2050, with benefits for health and wider society.