Photo credit: www.sciencedaily.com
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is significantly changing how children commute to school by enhancing road safety, boosting air quality perceptions, and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices. A recent study published in BMJ Open and backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) underscores these advantages, noting that many families report improved air quality and safer road conditions. Nonetheless, the study also highlights the difficulties faced by residents in outer boroughs who rely heavily on cars and may find it challenging to adjust to the new regulations.
In London, road traffic is a principal contributor to air pollution, which carries serious health implications. Approximately one in every eleven children in the city suffers from asthma, a condition exacerbated by subpar air quality. Furthermore, reliance on cars limits opportunities for active modes of transport like walking and cycling, which are essential for preventing obesity and chronic health issues.
Since its launch in 2019, the ULEZ has implemented charges on high-emission vehicles operating across all London boroughs. Data from Transport for London (TfL) indicates a significant decline in nitrogen dioxide (NO?) levels—by 53% in central London, 24% in inner London, and 21% in outer London—alongside reduced traffic volumes.
The study published in BMJ Open, led by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Queen Mary University of London, investigates the effects of the ULEZ on school commuting patterns. This research is part of the Children’s Health in London and Luton (CHILL) Study, which previously identified that 42% of children who traveled by car switched to more active transportation modes following the introduction of the ULEZ. Through detailed interviews with 21 families involved in the CHILL study, along with discussions with seven teachers at participating schools, the researchers uncovered significant factors driving this transition as well as ongoing challenges faced by families adapting to the ULEZ.
Many families reported that the increasing costs associated with driving and the reduced convenience of car travel made walking or cycling more attractive alternatives. Those who already walked or cycled noted that better air quality enhanced the experience of their journeys. Additionally, with decreased traffic, some families opted for longer, more scenic routes, allowing for increased family time and physical activity. Teachers noted a decrease in asthma-related symptoms among their students, and highlighted that safer streets encouraged more outdoor play.
However, the adjustment to the ULEZ has proven difficult for numerous families residing outside of central London. The scrappage scheme provided some assistance, allowing certain families to upgrade their vehicles, but it did not comprehensively cover the expenses of obtaining a ULEZ-compliant vehicle. Residents in outer boroughs frequently described public transport as costly or inadequately connected. Some families parked outside the ULEZ zone and completed the journey on foot, while others felt compelled to keep driving, viewing it as the most viable option available. The study brings to light the disparities in access to cleaner, more sustainable modes of transport, emphasizing the pressing need for swift investment in affordable and well-connected transportation solutions across all boroughs.
Dr. Olivia Alliott, the lead author from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, stated: “Policies like the ULEZ are vital in fostering healthier travel patterns for many families. Nevertheless, their effectiveness heavily relies on ensuring that all individuals can access these benefits, facilitating the implementation of policies alongside accessible and affordable alternatives to driving.”
“Our earlier research indicated that ULEZ has prompted children to adopt walking and cycling for school commutes. This study elucidates possible explanations for this trend while also highlighting the positive and negative experiences associated with ULEZ, which are influenced by one’s ability to afford the charge and the availability of alternative travel options,” she added.
The findings underline the significance of initiatives like the ULEZ in fostering healthier and more sustainable urban environments, while also stressing the need for these solutions to be inclusive and equitable. The insights gained will be beneficial for policymakers globally who are contemplating similar measures to enhance air quality and public health.
Professor Chris Griffiths from the Wolfson Institute of Population Health at Queen Mary University of London, who co-authored the study, remarked: “This vital study offers a new perspective on how ULEZ impacts families’ lifestyles, travel patterns, and their interactions with the urban environment. The comprehensive societal effects extend beyond merely improving air quality in the city.”
The interviews conducted for this study took place between November 2022 and March 2023, and do not account for the ULEZ expansion that occurred in August 2023 to encompass greater London.
This research received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North Thames, and the Medical Research Council. It was conducted in collaboration with numerous esteemed institutions, including Queen Mary University of London, Imperial College London, the University of Bedfordshire, the University of Exeter, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Oxford, and the University of Southern California.
Source
www.sciencedaily.com