| Impact of strikes on air quality |
|
|
|
| Wednesday, 23 April 2008 | |
|
he strikes of last week, severely disrupting the use of modes of transport have increased the use of cars and two wheels at the expense of both air quality and health of the Paris Region. A limited impact or amplified depending on the weather Contrary to what one might think, the systematic use of car and longer journeys due to traffic congestion have a particularly adverse effect for motorists. They breathe in effect pollution levels nearly two times higher than pedestrians. These levels of pollution are even more important than traffic conditions are bad because they are essentially vehicles surrounding that influence the quality of air we breathe at the wheel. These results are the result of recent measurement campaigns carried out in a vehicle. The drivers of motorized two-wheelers are also strongly affected by pollution with which they are in direct contact. Moreover, taking advantage of the recent establishment of the system of bike rentals Vélib ', many Parisians have carried more or less likely on the bike, rediscovering a means of transport for many virtues. Thus, according to data provided by JCDecaux, the operator of Velib ', bicycles have been used twice more than usual with, for example, nearly 175 000 uses November 16. However, evolve bicycle in the middle of heavy traffic emitting pollution is harmful to health, especially since the effort cycling causes an increase in pulmonary ventilation required for some fresh air muscles. This translates into additional ventilation inevitably increased exposure to air pollutants ... Beyond the quality of air strikes have resulted in an increase of 70% of accidents on the highway said the Prefecture of Police notes that for 15 days and 16, two-wheelers are more two-thirds of accidents with more than 68%, pedestrians more than 13%, cyclists 12.6% (instead of 6.7% in normal times) and finally motorists only 5.4%. The strikes could initiate the return of the bike? These strikes could be an additional leverage for a modal shift from car to alternative transport, but the example strikes of 1995 shows that the effect is limited to the period of disruption and that "bad habits" have quickly regained the lead. However, with excellent results Vélib 'on Paris and the expected doubling of the number of bicycles available for the end of the year, it is possible that the Parisians see it as an interesting alternative, at least if the time is ripe with winter which should delay. Condition critical: the democratization of cycling in Paris must be accompanied by the establishment of bicycle lanes secure, accessible to non-motorized vehicles or sheltered with fences plant that reduce exposure to pollutants from road traffic. We must note the lack of consistency between on the one hand the availability commendable cycles for the greatest number and the weakness of network design cycle, even if the city of Paris has 370 km of cycle paths. |
|
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|