Ozone Pollution and Urban Mobility Scenarios in the São Paulo Megacity

Author(s)

Júlio Barboza Chiquetto ^[1] ; Rita Yuri Ynoue ^[2] ; Sergio Alejandro Ibarra-Espinosa ^[3] ; Flávia Noronha Dutra Ribeiro ^[4] ; William Cabral-Miranda ^[5] ; Maria Elisa Siqueira Silva ^[6]

Affiliation

^[1] University of São Paulo. Institute of Advanced Studies - Brasil

^[2] University of São Paulo. Department of Atmospheric Sciences - Brasil

^[3] University of São Paulo. Department of Atmospheric Sciences - Brasil

^[4] University of São Paulo. School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities - Brasil

^[5] University of São Paulo. Department of Geography - Brasil

^[6] University of São Paulo. Department of Geography - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Ambiente & Sociedade; v. 23, 2020-12-04.

Abstract

Abstract Air pollution is associated to poor urban mobility conditions, as in the megacity of São Paulo. Three scenarios of policies of driving restrictions were simulated using the WRF/Chem model, to assess the impacts on ozone pollution and the consequences for environmental justice: urban toll, sustainable transition, and vehicle free zone. Results show that the urban toll leads to a decrease of 20 µg.m-3 in maximum 8-hour ozone averages and the prevention of six hours of exceedances of the air quality standard. Sustainable transition was the most promising scenario, with a decrease of 50 µg.m-3 and avoiding 22 hours of exceedances. The vehicle free zone did not show any advantages. For the implementation of adequate public transport systems, massive investments are required, in order to achieve better air quality with the greatest environmental justice possible, aiming towards the protection of human health along with a more democratic access to the urban spaces. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/12216-5 - Spatial distribution of tropospheric ozone associated with the land use in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region
• Grantee: Júlio Barboza Chiquetto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate