Avoid Traffic Pollution by Crossing the Street

A case study produced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). In built-up urban areas, pedestrians could reduce the amount of traffic pollution they breathe in simply by crossing the street, according to joint EPSRC/NERC-funded research. Fresher air can be found on the windward side of the street and in roads running parallel to a main road. The research has shown that urban air pollution levels change dramatically within small areas. Wind patterns, surrounding buildings and the location of traffic queues all influence how pollution accumulates. Professor Alison Tomlin leads the research team based at the University of Leeds and says “Most people would expect pollution levels to be slightly lower away from the main body of traffic, but our figures show a very significant difference.” The research found that carbon monoxide levels in side streets parallel to main roads was up to four times lower and CO2 levels can be up to three times higher on the sheltered side of a street than those on the windward side. EPSRC is a part of the Research Councils UK (RCUK) partnership of research councils.