Version 1
: Received: 9 October 2024 / Approved: 10 October 2024 / Online: 10 October 2024 (13:16:25 CEST)
How to cite:
Whelan, I.; Luiu, C.; Pope, F. D. Assessing the Polarizing Impacts of Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods: A Community Perspective from Birmingham, UK. Preprints2024, 2024100799. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0799.v1
Whelan, I.; Luiu, C.; Pope, F. D. Assessing the Polarizing Impacts of Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods: A Community Perspective from Birmingham, UK. Preprints 2024, 2024100799. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0799.v1
Whelan, I.; Luiu, C.; Pope, F. D. Assessing the Polarizing Impacts of Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods: A Community Perspective from Birmingham, UK. Preprints2024, 2024100799. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0799.v1
APA Style
Whelan, I., Luiu, C., & Pope, F. D. (2024). Assessing the Polarizing Impacts of Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods: A Community Perspective from Birmingham, UK. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0799.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Whelan, I., Carlo Luiu and Francis D. Pope. 2024 "Assessing the Polarizing Impacts of Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods: A Community Perspective from Birmingham, UK" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0799.v1
Abstract
Globally, the transport sector is a major contributor to air pollution. Currently in the UK, vehicle emissions contribute significant amounts of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) pollution in urban areas. Low-emission zones policies have been used as an intervention to tackle air pollution, and in this context, the UK launched the Low- Traffic Neighbourhood scheme. This study investigates the impacts of the Low- Traffic Neighbourhood in Kings Heath, Birmingham, UK, to evaluate its impact in reducing air pollution and local community perspectives about the scheme and perceived impacts on health and well-being. The study employs a mixed-method ap-proach comprising air quality monitoring assessment and a survey questionnaire involving 210 residents. The findings reveal an increase in active travel and a reduction in air pollution levels in the years after the implementation of the scheme, although the area is still non-compliant with the 2021 WHO air quality guidelines. Nonetheless, the scheme has a polarizing effect and created a division within the local community about the overall scheme acceptance and spatial distribution of the scheme’s benefits. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive baseline data, long-term community engagement, and integration with broader urban planning initiatives to enhance the success of future Low-Neighbourhood Traffic schemes.
Keywords
Low Traffic Neighbourhood; low emission zones; modal filter; air pollution; active travel; polarization; non-motorised transport; motorised transport
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
