Evaluation of Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) Impacts on NO2 and Traffic

Abstract

Traffic restriction measures create safer and healthier places for community members, but can be controversial due to fear of displacements of traffic and air pollution to surrounding streets. We evaluated impacts of three Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) implemented in the London Borough of Islington, UK, on air pollution and traffic flows in and around intervention areas. Monthly Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) and traffic volume data were provided by the local authority. After identifying pre- and post-intervention monitoring periods and intervention, boundary and control sites, we adapted the generalised difference in differences approach to evaluate the effects within LTNs and at their boundary. We found that LTNs have the potential to reduce air pollution and traffic in target areas, without necessarily causing displacements in surrounding streets. This provides additional arguments in favour of such measures, which are otherwise attractive for their potential to promote health and wellbeing in urban communities.

Keywords: Built environment, planning, policy, car-free, NO2, generalised difference-in-differences