At urban/local scale a few integrated assessment models have been developed
and applied (e.g. Vlachokostas et al. 2009; Zachary et al. 2011; Mediavilla-Sahagun
and ApSimon 2013). In RIAT (Carnevale et al. 2012) the main goal is to compute
the most efficient mix of local policies required to reduce secondary pollution
exposure, in compliance with air quality regulations, while accounting for characteristics of the area under consideration. RIAT solves a multi-objective optimization, in which an air quality index is minimized constrained by a specific
emission reduction implementation cost. It will be described in more details in the
following chapter. The Luxembourg Energy Air Quality model (LEAQ) (Zachary
et al. 2011) integrated assessment tool focuses on projected energy policy and
related air quality at the urban and small-nation scale. The tool has been developed
initially for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, but is flexible and could be adapted
for any city with sufficient information concerning energy use and relevant air
quality. The UKIAM model (Oxley et al. 2003) has been developed to explore
attainment of UK emission ceilings, while meeting other environmental objectives,
including urban air quality and human health, as well as natural ecosystems. Nested
within the European scale ASAM model (Oxley and ApSimon 2007), UKIAM
operates at high resolution, linked to the BRUTAL transport model for the UK road
network to provide roadside concentrations, and to explore non-technical measures
affecting traffic volumes and composition.
4.3 Areas for Future Research of DPSIR Blocks
This section identifies limitations of the current assessment methods and proposes
key areas to be addressed by research and innovation. It is organized into several
sub-sections, each corresponding to a specific building block of the DPSIR scheme.
4.3.1 Drivers (Activities)
Considerable weaknesses were identified for the DRIVERS block, for all activity
sectors contributing to local scale emissions: not only for power plants, road traffic
and residential combustion, but also agriculture, non-road traffic and machinery. An
important future research line should be devoted to the integration of activity
inventories at different scales. At the moment, inconsistencies exist between
local/regional and EU level data collection methods and tools, and this prevents the
implementation of a fully integrated approach connecting the various governance
scales. While activity values are usually available at the international/national level,
this is not the case at regional/local scales, where only emission inventories
(PRESSURES) are compiled.
4 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Current EU Situation
73
and applied (e.g. Vlachokostas et al. 2009; Zachary et al. 2011; Mediavilla-Sahagun
and ApSimon 2013). In RIAT (Carnevale et al. 2012) the main goal is to compute
the most efficient mix of local policies required to reduce secondary pollution
exposure, in compliance with air quality regulations, while accounting for characteristics of the area under consideration. RIAT solves a multi-objective optimization, in which an air quality index is minimized constrained by a specific
emission reduction implementation cost. It will be described in more details in the
following chapter. The Luxembourg Energy Air Quality model (LEAQ) (Zachary
et al. 2011) integrated assessment tool focuses on projected energy policy and
related air quality at the urban and small-nation scale. The tool has been developed
initially for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, but is flexible and could be adapted
for any city with sufficient information concerning energy use and relevant air
quality. The UKIAM model (Oxley et al. 2003) has been developed to explore
attainment of UK emission ceilings, while meeting other environmental objectives,
including urban air quality and human health, as well as natural ecosystems. Nested
within the European scale ASAM model (Oxley and ApSimon 2007), UKIAM
operates at high resolution, linked to the BRUTAL transport model for the UK road
network to provide roadside concentrations, and to explore non-technical measures
affecting traffic volumes and composition.
4.3 Areas for Future Research of DPSIR Blocks
This section identifies limitations of the current assessment methods and proposes
key areas to be addressed by research and innovation. It is organized into several
sub-sections, each corresponding to a specific building block of the DPSIR scheme.
4.3.1 Drivers (Activities)
Considerable weaknesses were identified for the DRIVERS block, for all activity
sectors contributing to local scale emissions: not only for power plants, road traffic
and residential combustion, but also agriculture, non-road traffic and machinery. An
important future research line should be devoted to the integration of activity
inventories at different scales. At the moment, inconsistencies exist between
local/regional and EU level data collection methods and tools, and this prevents the
implementation of a fully integrated approach connecting the various governance
scales. While activity values are usually available at the international/national level,
this is not the case at regional/local scales, where only emission inventories
(PRESSURES) are compiled.
4 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Current EU Situation
73