PriMera Scientific Engineering (ISSN: 2834-2550)

Research Article

Volume 7 Issue 6

Modelling of Air Pollution Dispersion Coupled with Traffic Flow Simulation, as a Digital Twin, for the Correct Implementation of Low Emission Zones: An Innovative Approach for Smart Cities

Antonio Segura Morilla*, Samuel Pineiro Pena and David Cartelle Fernandez

November 26, 2025

View PDF

Abstract

The growing urbanization, combined with increasingly strict air quality regulations, requires innovative approaches to manage air pollution, particularly from vehicular emissions. One of the most widely used methods to regulate air pollution in cities is the implementation of the called low emission zones (LEZs), areas of a city in which certain vehicles are restricted or their use is discouraged through economic fees. This paper proposes a comprehensive methodology for the implementation and management of low emission zones, integrating advanced air pollution dispersion models and traffic flow simulations. The proposed approach uses the SUMO model for traffic simulation and the GRAL model for high-resolution pollutant dispersion, supported by meteorological data from the WRF and GRAMM models. The method ensures accurate delimitation of LEZs and enables effective monitoring of air quality both before and after its implementation. The methodology was successfully applied in several European cities, demonstrating its adaptability and effectiveness. The results showed significant improvements in air quality predictions, thereby validating the proposed LEZs and contributing to the broader goals of urban air quality management.

Keywords: Low Emission Zones (LEZS); Modelling; Pollution; Digital Twin; Traffic Flow Simulation

References

  1. Ai Z, Mak CM and Lee H. “Roadside air quality and implications for control measures: A case study of Hong Kong”. Atmos. Environ 137 (2016): 6-16.
  2. Anderson ML. “As the wind blows: The effects of long-term exposure to air pollution on mortality”. Journal of the European Economic Association 18 (2020): 1886-1927.
  3. Andriolli AC and Silva LT. “Are Low Emission Zones Truly Embraced by the Public?”. Environments 11 (2024): 106.
  4. Azdad Z, Stoll B and Müller J. “Clean cities—The development trends of low and zero-emission zones in Europe”. Transp. Environ. Gr (2022).
  5. Baghestani A., et al. “Evaluating the traffic and emissions impacts of congestion pricing in New York city”. Sustainability 12.9 (2020): 3655.
  6. Beevers S and Carslaw D. “The impact of congestion charging on vehicle emissions in London”. Atmospheric Environment 39.1 (2005): 1-5.
  7. Boogaard H., et al. “Impact of low emission zones and local traffic policies on ambient air pollution concentrations”. Sci. Total Environ 435 (2012): 132e140.
  8. Carslaw DC and Beevers SD. “The efficacy of low emission zones in Central London as a means of reducing nitrogen dioxide concentrations”. Transp. Res. Part D Transp. Environ 7.1 (2002): 49e64.
  9. Ceccato R, Rossi R and Gastaldi Massimiliano. “Low emission zone and mobility behavior: Ex-ante evaluation of vehicle pollutant emissions”. Transportation Research Part A 185 (2024): 104101.
  10. Cesaroni G., et al. “Health benefits of traffic related air pollution reduction in different socioeconomic groups: the effect of low-emission zoning in Rome”. Occup. Environ. Med 69.2 (2012): 133e139.
  11. Da Silva FN, Custodio RAL and Martins H. “Low emission zone: Lisbon's experience”. J. Traffic Logist. Eng 2.2 (2014): 133e139.
  12. EC: Communication from the Commission COM. 640 final: The European Green Deal (2019). https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
  13. Ellison RB, Greaves SP and Hensher DA. “Five years of London's low emission zone: effects on vehicle fleet composition and air quality”. Transp. Res. Part D Transp. Environ 23 (2013): 25e33.
  14. European Environmental Agency. “Transport: increasing oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions hamper eu progress towards environment and climate objectives (Tech. Rep.)”. European Environmental Agency (2020).
  15. Just AC., et al. “Advancing methodologies for applying machine learning and evaluating spatiotemporal models of fine particulate matter (PM2:5) using satellite data over large regions”. Atmos. Environ 239 (2020): 117649
  16. Keuken MP., et al. “Elemental carbon as an indicator for evaluating the impact of traffic measures on air quality and health”. Atmos. Environ 61 (2012): 1e8.
  17. Lebrusán I and Toutouh J. “Using Smart City Tools to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Low Emissions Zone in Spain: Madrid Central”. Smart Cities 3.2 (2020): 456-478.
  18. Panteliadis P., et al. “Implementation of a low emission zone and evaluation of effects on air quality by long-term monitoring”. Atmos. Environ 86 (2014): 113e119.
  19. Po L., et al. “TRAFAIR: Understanding Traffic Flow to Improve Air Quality”. IEEE International Smart Cities Conference (ISC2), Casablanca (Morocco) (2019).
  20. Sarmiento L, Wägner N and Zaklan A. “The air quality and well-being effects of low emission zones”. Journal of Public Economics 227 (2023): 105014.
  21. Sokhi RS., et al. “Advances in air quality research - current and emerging challenges”. Atmos. Chem. Phys 22 (2022): 4615-4703.
  22. WHO. “Health Risks of Air Pollution in Europe e HRAPIE Project”. World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark (2013).
  23. Simeonova E., et al. “Congestion pricing, air pollution, and children’s health”. J. Hum. Resour. 0218-9363R2 (2019).
  24. Vardoulakis S., et al. “Modelling air quality in street canyons: a review”. Atmospheric Environment 37.2 (2003): 155-182.
  25. Zhai M and Wolff H. “Air pollution and urban road transport: Evidence from the world’s largest low- emission zone in London”. Environ. Econ. Policy Stud 23 (2021): 721-748.
  26. Zhan Y., et al. “Spatiotemporal prediction of continuous daily PM2:5 concentrations across China using a spatially explicit machine learning algorithm”. Atmos. Environ 155 (2017): 129-139.
  27. Zhang Y., et al. “Evaluation of low emission zone policy on vehicle emission reduction in Beijing, China”. In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 121.5 (2018).