Road developments
The creation or modification of road infrastructure can have a significant impact on the surrounding air quality and exposure of populations to air pollution.
As such, road infrastructure and urban development projects are subject to Article L122-1 of the Environmental Code, which requires the project owner to carry out a systematic environmental assessment or after examination on a case-by-case basis.
1️⃣ Etat initial
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Recueil des données existantes (localisation des sources d’émission, des sites vulnérables, etc.)
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Campagne de mesure in-situ des polluants traceurs par capteurs passifs, préleveurs dynamiques ou analyseurs en continu
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Caractérisation des principaux enjeux de qualité de l’air dans la zone d’étude
2️⃣ Effets du projet
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Estimation des émissions polluantes, calcul des coûts collectifs liés à la pollution atmosphérique et à l'effet de serre
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Modélisation 2D ou 3D des concentrations en polluants et calcul de l’indice pollution x population (IPP)
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Évaluation des risques sanitaires (ERS)
3️⃣ Mesures d'atténuation
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Proposition de mesures génériques (éviter, réduire, compenser) pouvant être intégrées au projet
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Justification des mesures retenues spécifiquement pour le projet
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Quantification de l’impact de mesures spécifiques (murs anti-bruit et obstacles verticaux, merlons, zones tampon...)
Collection of existing data
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Counting exposed populations in the study area
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Location of vulnerable sites
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Location of industrial activities
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Assessment of local emissions
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Analysis of local air quality monitoring network measurements and local air pollution prevention plans
In-situ measurement campaigns
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Measurement of the main air pollutants (NO₂, benzene, PM₁₀, PM₂₅, PAHs, heavy metals, etc.) using passive sensors, continuous analyzers, NF EN 12341 active samplers, etc.
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Measurement of “emerging” pollutants such as 1,3 butadiene, ultrafine particles (UFP) or black carbon (BC) using passive sensors, continuous analyzers, CPC, aethalometer...
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Interpretation of results according to meteorological conditions, local context and regulations
Estimation of project effects on emissions
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Modeling of emissions and energy consumption using CopCerema (Copert 5.8) or TREFIC™ software
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Comparison between scenarios: initial state, future state with and without project
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Calculation and analysis of collective costs linked to air pollution and the greenhouse effect
Estimated health effects of the project
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2D and 3D modeling of ambient air concentrations in the study area (AERMOD and CALMET-CALPUFF models)
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Calculation of the pollution/population index (PPI) in the study area and cartographic representation
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Health risk assessment (HRA) at vulnerable sites or at any point in the study area
Avoidance, reduction and compensation (ARC) measures
Airea has carried out a number of bibliographical studies on the subject on behalf of ADEME, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, enabling us to offer our customers expert advice and support on avoidance, reduction and compensation (ERC) measures, both general and specific, adapted to each project.
Examples of application
Airea provides its expertise for numerous projects involving modifications and/or modernization of urban roads, departmental roads, national roads, motorway junctions, and motorways :
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Conversion to 2x2 / 2x3 / 3x4 lanes
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Creation of high-level service cycle paths
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Removal of toll barriers (implementation of free-flow traffic)
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Addition of a reserved lane (carpooling, buses, taxis, etc.)
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Deviation
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Redevelopment and speed limits
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Creation of a high-level service bus lane
Focus on the LOTI balance sheet
The regulatory framework (art. L.1511-6 of the French Transport Code) requires major transport infrastructure projects to undergo a review of their socio-economic and environmental effects : an interim review within a year, and a final review within 3 to 5 years of commissioning.
These ex-post assessments, also known as “LOTI assessments” because they are required by the French Law on Inland Transport (LOTI) of December 30, 1982, are the responsibility of the project owner, and must be made public after receiving the opinion of the French General Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (CGEDD).
In concrete terms, the assessment must enable analysis and explanation of the discrepancies between the forecasts in the preliminary investigation file prior to the Declaration of Public Utility (DUP), a document that has been made public, and the actual observations after the infrastructure has been put into service, as well as verification of the State's compliance with its commitments.
In this context, Airea provides all the services necessary to compile the “air quality” assessment before and/or after the road project is commissioned (projected impacts of the project on air quality through modeling, verification of forecasts through in-situ measurement campaigns).
In concrete terms, the assessment must enable analysis and explanation of the discrepancies between the forecasts in the preliminary investigation file prior to the Declaration of Public Utility (DUP), a document that has been made public, and the actual observations after the infrastructure has been put into service, as well as verification of the State's compliance with its commitments.
In this context, Airea provides all the services necessary to compile the “air quality” assessment before and/or after the road project is commissioned (projected impacts of the project on air quality through modeling, verification of forecasts through in-situ measurement campaigns).
