UBGMW7-15-M-Air Quality Management

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Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................4

1. Suitability and Validity of the assessment method and their interpretation...................5

1.1 Local Authority’s monitoring according to Local Air quality Management

technological guidance (TG16)......................................................................................5

1.1.1 Identifying air quality objectives exceeded areas (2.14)...............................5

1.1.2 Monitoring should identify required reduction amount to set objectives (2.15) 5

1.1.3 Determining the nature of the problem at the beginning (2.16)....................5

1.1.4 Providing details of the local pollution problem (2.17)...................................6

1.1.5 Providing source apportionment (2.18).............................................................6

1.1.6 Detailed assessment with modelling and monitoring (2.19)..........................7

1.2 Validity of the Assessed data...............................................................................7

2. Sustainability and effectiveness of the air quality action plans.....................................8

2.1 Appropriateness of the proposed measures............................................................8

2.1.1 Modal Shift & affecting touring option...............................................................8

2.1.2 Deteriorated emission and clean vehicles........................................................8

2.1.3 Road Infrastructure............................................................................................9

2.1.4 Traffic Management..........................................................................................9

2.1.5 Planning and Policies........................................................................................9

2.1.6 Non-Transport measures..................................................................................9

2.2 Success and Obstacles in implementation............................................................10

2.2.3 Modal Shift & affecting touring option.............................................................10

2.2.4 Low emission and clean vehicles....................................................................10

2.2.5 Road Infrastructure..........................................................................................10

2.2.6 Traffic Management........................................................................................10

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 2.2.7 Planning and policies......................................................................................10

2.3 Role and Responsibility.........................................................................................11

2.4 Communication to stakeholders............................................................................12

3. Recommendation & Conclusion..................................................................................12

Reference list...................................................................................................................14

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Introduction
The report aims to analyse the suitability and validity of the assessment methods and
air quality action plan of the Aberdeen City Council. At first, to analyse the validity of the
methods, the action plan's monitoring process was analysed based on eight
requirements mentioned in the technical guidance. And it is found that Aberdeen City
Council’s AQAP monitoring process complies with the technical guidance. Then, the
validity of the assessed data was analysed based on data reporting and standardisation
methods. They assess data has validity, but the monitoring period is not mentioned.
Secondly, the appropriateness of the measures mentioned was analysed concerning
other research findings and the key roles for those measures are shown. Finally, it is
seen that the authority communicated with different stakeholders by publishing a draft of
its AQAP and collected as much feedback as they can for making the plan better.

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1. Suitability and Validity of the assessment method and their
interpretation
1.1 Local Authority’s monitoring according to Local Air quality
Management technological guidance (TG16)
According to the Department of Environment Food and rural affairs (2019), local
monitoring and assessment should meet the seven criteria of technological guidance
TG16). This technological guidance applies to all the UK authorities except London. The
monitoring procedure of Aberdeen City Council (ACC) will be analysed in light of the
following seven criteria.

1.1.1 Identifying air quality objectives exceeded areas (2.14).

According to the mentioned steps for developing local monitoring and assessment
method (2), the aim for the assessment conducted by a local authority should be to
identify areas where air quality objectives have surpassed (Department of Environment
Food and rural affairs, 2019). Accordingly, ACC decided to conduct an assessment on
NO2 and PM10 in areas for example Market Street, Union Street, Errol place, Anderson
drive, Wellington road, and king street (ABERDEEN City Council, 2011). These all
areas were under current AQMA. Thus, areas were targeted to conduct an assessment
with the possible intensity of emission which meets the criteria.

1.1.2 Monitoring should identify required reduction amount to set objectives

(2.15)
Under the section two which is “Undertake Appropriate Local Monitoring and
Assessment (Source Apportionment) for Development Phase” the 2.15 subsection
stated that assessment or monitoring should identify the pollutant amount to reduce and
thus it will help to set objectives (Department of Environment Food and rural affairs,
2019). Here, ACC’s assessment shows pollutant NO2 and PM10 contribution in
selected cities and how much amount it is producing that is excessing the EU statutory
limit to set objectives. Hence, ACC’s monitoring is meeting the criteria.

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1.1.3 Determining the nature of the problem at the beginning (2.16)
The section two outlines the guidance 2.16 where it is sated that the local authority
should find out the nature of the air pollution problem based on the assessment as soon
as possible. ACC has introduced the core reason for the air pollution problem at the
beginning that is road vehicles. Emissions from vehicles are the main reason for air
pollution in the city. Besides, existing air quality in respected areas is shown in numbers
which makes it easy to monitoring.

1.1.4 Providing details of the local pollution problem (2.17)

In the ACC's air quality action plan, they have presented a full picture of the air pollution
problem in the local area. For example, the plan has presented main pollutant elements;
how they are prevailing in the air and the future what will be the intensity of these
pollutants and finally, detecting the possible areas where these pollutants can exceed
the limit. These procedures match with the requirements in technical guidance (TG16),
which is the assessment should provide details of the problem.

1.1.5 Providing source apportionment (2.18)

ACC’s AQAP plan presented the sources of air pollution and their contribution to the air
proportionately in the modelling studies.

Figure 1.1: Source apportionment of air pollution

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 Source: (Aberdeen City Council, 2011)

Thus, ACC’s action plan complies with this requirement that is the plan should
demonstrate sources that increase the amount of air pollution in the city.

1.1.6 Detailed assessment with modelling and monitoring (2.19)

ACC conducted modelling studies on three AQMAs and NO2, PM10 pollutants. Further
assessment (ACC, 2009b) and the 2010 city centre modelling study were conducted in
three different areas. Besides, a detailed analysis is presented in the report of ACC.
Thus, it can be concluded that ACC has followed the detailed assessment.

1.2 Validity of the Assessed data

For conducting the monitoring, Aberdeen city council followed both the automatic
monitoring point method and non-automatic monitoring method. For different areas, a
different method is applied. According to Llywodraeth Cymru Welsh Government
(2021), automatic point monitoring is the most complex and costly to implement, but it
gives high-resolution data that helps to work with the monitoring process. For automatic
monitoring areas, Chemiluminescence analysis was done. This analysis is mainly
conducted by local and national governments. It is an accepted method and used for
short-term values like hourly mean. However, it can’t be situated in poor conditions for
their cost, size and power requirement. The report contains monitoring places and a
specific time when the monitoring was conducted, but it does not clearly state that
monitoring period. However, the annual report shows the performance of pollutants
precisely by numbering the amount and shows the last five years' data. It also compares
obtained values got from monitoring with air quality objectives. For example, NO2
annual mean concentration should not exceed 40 µg/m3 in the last calendar year but in
2016, the value was 43 µg/m3 (Environment Agency, 2016). The report bolded the
figure to shows that this value exceeds the European limit. For calculations, clear
approaches were also followed. For example, in diffusion test monitoring Diffusion
Tubes for Ambient NO2 Monitoring: Practical Guidance for Laboratories and Users' and
LAQM.TG 16 was used as guidelines. Besides, the perfect location of setting up the
procedure also followed. Moreover, a bias adjustment test was also done in complying
with the LAQM.TG 16. These procedures match with a requirement for reporting the

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monitoring data. According to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(2021), the monitoring data summary should present changes in the monitoring network
over the last years. But the monitoring summary in the annual report of ACC does not
show any changes like that. However, it shows in which AQMA pollutants concentration
is diminishing or exceeding and there are no new exceedance objectives outside the
present AQMA. In conclusion, it can be said that the conclusion based on monitoring
data is valid as data analysis and monitoring is accurate but not precise.

2. Sustainability and effectiveness of the air quality action

plans
2.1 Appropriateness of the proposed measures
The measures proposed by Aberdeen City Council (ACC) are analysed below and are
ramified in six headings.

2.1.1 Modal Shift & affecting touring option

It is stated that people should be encouraged to use public transport rather than private
transport to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. American Public Transport
Association (2021) stated that using public transport can reduce carbon footprints and
reduces total energy consumption. Thus, it reduces air pollution. Hence, it is planned
that partnership with buses will be done to encourage using it and punctuality program
will also be followed to make buses more punctual and dependable. Besides, cycling
and walking strategy will be developed as it reduces pollution. According to Green
(2020), cycling requires minimum fossil fuel is zero-emission transport and it can reduce
3000 pounds gas emission if some replace cycle with the car.

2.1.2 Deteriorated emission and clean vehicles

The plan is also going to encourage green vehicles and eco-driving to reduce pollution.
That is collecting and distributing green vehicles more and encouraging people to
change their driving behaviour. According to Moses (2020), green vehicles emit fewer
greenhouse gases than normal cars and it also ensures future production materials to
keep them producing. Although producing green vehicles, for example, electric cars

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require more energy and they can reduce pollution more than in its lifetime (Wang and
Saito, 2016).

2.1.3 Road Infrastructure

ACC has planned to undertake pedestrianisation that is blocking vehicles’ movements
in a certain area to help pedestrians move friendly (Hussein, 2017). HS Security (2020)
stated that pedestrianisation could reduce noise and air pollution as it restricts vehicles
from entering. The author also mentioned that it could increase the economic growth of
an area by increasing the movement of customers. However, it can hamper certain
vehicle owners, stakeholders by disrupting serving people, for example, delivery men or
an ambulance (Özdemir and Selçuk, 2017).

2.1.4 Traffic Management

ACC planned to implement an Intelligent transport system (ITS) and High occupancy
vehicle (HOV). By managing traffics and encouraging people to share rides can reduce
air pollution. ITS is a smart way to manage traffics and can make users smarter, enabler
which leads to less congestion (Mbiydzenyuy, 2018). Thus, these reduce pollution.

2.1.5 Planning and Policies

ACC planned to introduce and undertake several policies and planning, for example,
producing supplementary planning guidance, Integration of AQAP with Health and
Transport Action Plan (HTAP), Car Parking Policies and road hierarchies (ABERDEEN
City Council, 2017). By controlling the development process and future development
initiatives, ACC will reduce air pollution. Besides, it will encourage the developments
that do good to the environment.

2.1.6 Non-Transport measures

ACC will control biomass installation, Industry permitting and will encourage tree
planting (ABERDEEN City Council, 2017). To make low carbon developments, UK has
seen the importance of Biomass. However, US Energy Information Administration
(2016) stated that the usage of biomass could lead to an increase in the emission of

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CO2 and greenhouse gases. However, tree planting is directly related to a healthy
environment and regulating industrial works will potentially reduce carbon emission.

2.2 Success and Obstacles in implementation

2.2.3 Modal Shift & affecting touring option
According to ABERDEEN City Council (2011), most planned activities under this
heading have scored well but the more beneficial a procedure will be, the more
unrealistic it will be. Hence, well scored in reality may not provide such benefit but have
scored well for low cost and feasibility. However, Park and ride measure scored low,
indicating low success in implementation. Air quality can be improved by implementing
and following certain rules for public transport, which is indicating success potentiality.

2.2.4 Low emission and clean vehicles

In the calculation, this measure scored marvellously and indicated a high chance of
success. But even now, the score may look high for low cost and feasibility. However,
the adoption of green vehicles also looks promising that is it also shows huge benefit to
air quality (ABERDEEN City Council, 2017).

2.2.5 Road Infrastructure

Among the road-building procedures, AWPR seems to be successful. However,
implementation can also exert an adverse effect on the AQMA area. In this regard, an
air quality assessment is being done by another stakeholder, but certainly, road
infrastructure cannot ensure overall air benefits.

2.2.6 Traffic Management

Measures included in traffic management individually will not bring advantages but
grouping them can bring a small amount of benefit. ITS seems to perform well for its
implication ability, feasibility and cost. But including speed regulation is uncertain as it
does not show probable benefits.

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2.2.7 Planning and policies
The actions under this measure seem to have minimal effect. However, it will cost less
and can be applied fast. Among the actions, car parking policies have a high potential
for

success.

2.3 Role and Responsibility

The air quality management plan mentioned the role and responsibility of required
parties along with the time scale and what needs to be done under these measures.

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 Figure 1.2: Allocation of role and responsibilities in AQAP

Source: (ABERDEEN City Council, 2011)

Here, for example, under modal shift and influencing travel choice, several actions and
plans are mentioned. According to actions, responsibilities are allocated. For increasing
the bus usage park and ride should be promoted. Thus, for the implementation of the
park and ride plan, ACC or Nestrans will be responsible.

2.4 Communication to stakeholders

For ensuring communication to stakeholders, a draft quality action plan was published.
As stakeholders got access to the draft, various institutions and people commented on
the plan. Besides, to get enough feedback on the plan, it has launched an online survey
and released a leaflet summarising the plan. A total of 200 pieces of feedback were
received and among them, maximum feedback was from individuals. However,
organisations like Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian, Garthdee Community Council
etc participated. In the consultation, a maximum of the stakeholders supported the
measures mentioned in the plan. However, ACC has planned to take continual
consultation from different stakeholders as the process is continuous.

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3. Recommendation & Conclusion
From the critical analysis, it is found that the planning process, monitoring and proposed
measures comply with the latest technical guidance, environmental act and other air
pollution references.

In the first part of the first section of the report monitoring procedure of AQAP has been
analysed in light of eight basic requirements mentioned in the technical guidance. It is
found that all eight requirements have been met successfully by the monitoring process.
In the second part of the report, the validity of the conclusion based on data was
analysed. Most of the data reporting procedure matches with policies and regulation of
air quality management. However, the monitoring process does not specify the
monitoring period. Hence, the conclusion is accurate but slightly precise.

In the second section of the report appropriateness of the measures is analysed

regarding air pollution research findings. However, the measures are not yet
implemented, but the authority planned to implement measures based on their
implications and suitability. All the planned measures have both success and failure
chance but most of the measures tend to be successful. Hence, a low probability of
measures is excluded from the AWAP. Finally, the roles and responsibilities of different
stakeholders are shown.

The recommendation is that the annual progress report and air quality action plan made
by Aberdeen city council has followed the required procedure and is valid. The
documents comply with the latest technological guidance, environmental activists and
hence there is no room for fraud. However, the air quality management plan both
mentioned its pros and cons and disclosed the procedure for conducting the plan and
progress report. Hence, Defra should take the documents of Aberdeen city council’s air
quality management procedure as valid and can be used further.

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Reference list
ABERDEEN City Council (2011). Air Quality Action Plan 2011. [online] Available at:
https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/air_quality_action_plan_2011.pdf
[Accessed 15 Aug. 2021].

ABERDEEN City Council (2017). Aberdeen City Council Annual Progress Report (APR)
2017 Air Quality Annual Progress Report (APR) for Aberdeen City Council In fulfilment
of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management. [online] .
Available at: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Air%20Quality
%20Annual%20Progress%20Report%202017_0.pdf [Accessed 16 Aug. 2021].

American Public Transport Association (2021). Public Transportation Reduces

Greenhouse Gases and Conserves Energy. [online] . Available at:
https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/Resources/resources/reportsandpublications/
Documents/greenhouse_brochure.pdf.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2021). LAQM Portal. [online]
Defra.gov.uk. Available at:
https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/review-and-assessment/laqmportal.html [Accessed 16 Aug.
2021].

Department of Environment food and rural affairs (2019). Technical Guidance

LAQM.TG (16) Online Viewer - Defra, UK. [online] Defra.gov.uk. Available at:
https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/technical-guidance/.

Environment Agency (2016). Performance Standards for Continuous Ambient Air

Quality Monitoring Systems. [online] . Available at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/532491/LIT_7050.pdf [Accessed 16 Aug. 2021].

Green, K. (2020). 5 Health and Environmental Benefits of Riding Your Bike. [online]
Biofriendly Planet | For a Cooler Environment. Available at:

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https://biofriendlyplanet.com/green-alternatives/5-health-and-environmental-benefits-of-
riding-your-bike/.

HS Security (2020). Pedestrianisation: The Guide to Keeping Pedstrians Safe. [online]

HS Security. Available at: https://hssecurity.com/pedestrianisation-guide/#pedpro
[Accessed 16 Aug. 2021].

Hussein, N. (2017). The Pedestrianisation and Its Relation with Enhancing Walkability in
Urban Spaces. Contemporary Urban Affairs, 2(1), pp.102–112.

Llywodraeth Cymru Welsh Government (2021). Monitoring Methodologies | Air Quality

In Wales. [online] airquality.gov.wales. Available at: https://airquality.gov.wales/about-
air-quality/monitoring/monitoring-methodologies#automatic-point [Accessed 16 Aug.
2021].

Mbiydzenyuy, G. (2018). Impact assessments of intelligent transport system

performance in a freight transport corridor. IET Intelligent Transport Systems, 12(9),
pp.1071–1081.

Moses, M. (2020). Electric cars and the environment. [online] EDF Energy. Available at:
https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/electric-cars-and-environment.

Özdemir, D. and Selçuk, İ. (2017). From pedestrianisation to commercial gentrification:

The case of Kadıköy in Istanbul. Cities, 65, pp.10–23.

US Energy Information Administration (2016). Biomass and the environment - U.S.

Energy Information Administration (EIA). [online] Eia.gov. Available at:
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/biomass-and-the-environment.php.

Wang, F.-K. and Saito, M. (2016). Evaluating the efficiency of green vehicles and diesel
vehicles. International Journal of Green Energy, 13(11), pp.1163–1174.

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