Impact of the transport system on air quality: the case of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Authors

  • Luciana Maria Baptista Ventura PhD in Chemistry, Chemistry Engineering, Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (Inea), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2597-6830
  • Isabela Rocha Pombo Lessi de Almeida Masters in Transport Engineering, Researcher, Programa de Engenharia de Transportes (PET), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Coppe/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5675-4421
  • Michelle Branco Ramos Masters in Chemistry, Chemist, Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (Inea), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
  • Marcio de Almeida D’agosto PhD in Transport Engineering, Professor, Programa de Engenharia de Transportes (PET), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Coppe/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4364-7480
  • Adriana Gioda PhD in Chemistry, Professor, Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5315-5650

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v13n3.2022.44993

Keywords:

Air quality, Urban mobility, Light-rail transit, Pollutant emissions

Abstract

In the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an urban mobility plan was implemented between 2011 and 2016 due to 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental benefits achieved by this urban mobility plan by comparing two periods: 2013 (before the megaevents) and 2017 (after the megaevents). Energy consumption and emissions from buses were estimated, and regulated pollutants (O3, CO, PM10, and PM2.5) were monitored. According to the calculations, NOx was the most emitted pollutant (60%). A 25% reduction levels for all pollutants was observed in 2017 compared to 2013. The reorganization of traffic shortened the bus routes, resulting in less fuel consumption (8%) and emissions. The annual mean concentrations of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, and CO) also decreased, thereby improving air quality. However, the levels of O3 increased, possibly owing to the reduction of NOx levels.

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Author Biographies

Luciana Maria Baptista Ventura, PhD in Chemistry, Chemistry Engineering, Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (Inea), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

The author did postdoctoral studies in Chemistry at PUC-Rio and in Transport Engineering at PET/COPPE/UFRJ. The author works at INEA and she has held the position of Research and Innovation Coordinator and Air Quality Manager for the past 5 years.

Isabela Rocha Pombo Lessi de Almeida, Masters in Transport Engineering, Researcher, Programa de Engenharia de Transportes (PET), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Coppe/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Master in Transport Engineering at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Currently, the authors works as Quality Supervisor at Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Michelle Branco Ramos, Masters in Chemistry, Chemist, Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (Inea), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

The authors worked for 10 years in Air Quality Management at INEA. Currently, the author works as a chemist in the chemical emergencies sector at the same Institute.

Marcio de Almeida D’agosto, PhD in Transport Engineering, Professor, Programa de Engenharia de Transportes (PET), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Coppe/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Mechanical and automobile engineer, master and doctor in transport engineering, associate professor at PET/COPPE/UFRJ, coordinator of the Cargo Transport Laboratory, researcher 1A at CNPq, President of the Brazilian Institute for Sustainable Transport and coordinator of the Green Logistics Program Brazil (PLVB).

Adriana Gioda, PhD in Chemistry, Professor, Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Graduated in Industrial Chemistry and Master in Analytical Chemistry from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM-RS) and PhD in Chemistry from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (LADETEC/IQ/UFRJ). For 5 years I worked at the University of Puerto Rico, USA (UPR-USA) as a Postdoc, Visiting Researcher and Professor. I have experience in the field of Atmospheric, Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology. Currently, I´m Associate Professor Level 1 at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), coordinator of the Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory (LQA / PUC-Rio), researcher 1C (CNPq) and Scientist of Our State (FAPERJ).

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ISSN-e 2179-9067

Sustainability in Debate - Brasília, v. 13, n.3, p. 121-137, dec/2022

Impact of the transport system on air quality: the case of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Published

2022-12-29

How to Cite

Ventura, L. M. B., Almeida, I. R. P. L. de, Ramos, M. B., D’agosto, M. de A., & Gioda, A. (2022). Impact of the transport system on air quality: the case of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sustainability in Debate, 13(3), 121–137. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v13n3.2022.44993

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2022): Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate

Section

Articles - Varia

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