CIVITAS SMILE Introduction of a Low Emission Zone in Norwich. Andy Watt Head of City Development Services

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1 CIVITAS SMILE Introduction of a Low Emission Zone in Norwich Andy Watt Head of City Development Services

2 Air quality in Norwich The council monitors air quality: NO 2, PM 10 and SO 2 Three air quality management areas identified in 2003 where it was predicted that the UK objective for annual average NO 2 levels (40μg/m 3) would be exceeded Background levels varying between 21 and 28μg/m 3 Source of problem transport related 2004 action plan proposed: Complimentary area wide measures such as park and ride Specific traffic management interventions in two areas Introduction of a low emission zone for the City Centre castle area

3 Objectives Introduction of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city centre around the castle to improve air quality to meet: UK objective (40μg/m3 [21ppb]) for annual average NO 2 levels: and Stage II EU Limit Values (20μg/m3) for annual average particle (PM 10 ) levels Prohibit access into Castle Meadow for < Euro III buses Improved public perception Convert 5 taxis to LPG operation (Euro IV+) Retrofit of vehicles to comply with the LEZ Implement supplementary measure such as Engine Switch Off Eco-driver training

4 Alternative fuels Bio-diesel trial formed part of CIVITAS SMILE project Complimentary to LEZ: bio-diesel produces less sulphur dioxide and particulates Major greenhouse gas benefit Literature suggested bio-diesel may produce more NO 2

5 Castle area Main city centre bus interchange and made bus only in 1998 Increasing use by buses over the past 10 years Variety of streetscape improvements recently implemented Air quality predicted to worsen in do-nothing scenario

6 Implementation Project commenced in Feb 2005 Phased approach Engine Switch Off Feb 2007 Formal LEZ implementation in July 2008 Widespread publicity and media attention

7 Engine switch-off Evidence of buses spending lengthy periods stationary but with engines running Buses waiting at bus stops for too long creating congestion, delaying other services and forcing some buses to use different stops or for passengers to board in the road Introduced TRO to force any parked vehicles to switch off their engine (except if passengers boarding) Support from businesses

8 Retrofit To meet objective some Euro IV vehicles required Uptake to be encouraged with grant funding Original intention to use Energy Savings Trust funding Substitute funding from LTP (65%) First and Anglian had access to CIVITAS funds (35%) 29 buses retro-fitted: Selective Catalytic Reduction (NH 3 )technology used No conversion of taxis to LPG

9 Traffic Regulation Condition Traffic Regulation Order considered but considered to be too prescriptive: all or nothing approach Looked to experience of Bath Widespread consultation with operators Some negotiation required: trade off between Euro requirement and speed of implementation Implemented through the Traffic Commissioners as a condition on operator PSV licence Requirements made tougher year on year

10 % of vehicles required to meet EURO III standard via TRC 100% 80% 60% Greater Norwich Rural 40% 20% 0%

11 Eco-driver training Offered to all operators using Castle Meadow 92 drivers trained Average fuel reduction of 16% Significant cost savings: also reduced air and noise pollution and reduced maintenance costs

12 On-street ticket vending machines Tickets sales increasing but scope for greater use 78% of people surveyed knew about the machines but only 20% had used them Boarding times 4% faster

13 Modelling Predicted effects Annual 2007 mean diffusion tube NO 2 μg m -3 concentration between 46 to 52 μg m -3 With engine switch-off concentration reduces to between 35 and 39 μg m -3 With all buses to Euro III standards concentration reduced to between 25 and 29 μg m -3

14 Alternative fuels gno km ULSD B20 B50 1

15 Effects NO 2 monitoring results Concentration (μg m -3 ) UK objective Automatic site Diffusion tube I Diffusion tube II

16 Hourly averages

17 Effects PM 10 monitoring results 30 Concentration (μg m -3 ) Stage II EU Limit Values Automatic site

18 Lessons learned Scope to introduce measures which both improve air quality and help to address climate change: sum greater than parts Case for consistent approach across UK, Europe? Availability of alternative fuel is key to up-take Where bus related a TRC is preferable to a TRO Early consultation vital

19 Further steps Additional retro-fit and consideration of tougher Euro standards Follow up eco driver training Expansion of LEZ measures to other areas

20 Contact