Associations between Environmental Exposure, Urban Environment Parameters and Meteorological Conditions, during Active Travel in Montevideo, Uruguay

Mauro D’Angelo (), Ignacio Franchi, Valentina Colistro, Ana Clara Vera, Alicia Aleman and Elizabeth González
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Mauro D’Angelo: Instituto de Mecánica de los Fluidos e Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11300, Uruguay
Ignacio Franchi: Instituto de Mecánica de los Fluidos e Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11300, Uruguay
Valentina Colistro: Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
Ana Clara Vera: Programa Unibici, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay
Alicia Aleman: Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Social, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
Elizabeth González: Instituto de Mecánica de los Fluidos e Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11300, Uruguay

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-27

Abstract: Introduction : Active transport is encouraged by the Uruguayan authorities; however, the criteria for expanding the cycling routes are unclear. This article presents a research project aiming to examine statistically significant links between environmental exposure during active travel in Montevideo (Uruguay) and urban environment parameters. Methods : Two monitoring routes were defined by working with cycling groups, and their urban environments were characterized. PM 10 , PM 2.5 and NO 2 concentrations and doses, and noise exposure doses, were measured. Simultaneously, meteorological parameters were recorded. The minimum required sample size was defined based on a statistical procedure: 30 samples were needed. Results : 31 environmental exposure measurements were performed on each route. The monitoring showed high temporal and spatial variability of the environmental parameters. The PM and NO 2 hot spots were not the same. Moreover, while Route N°1 presented higher PM 10 and NO 2 potential inhaled doses and higher NO 2 concentrations, the noise exposure doses were higher in Route N°2, with more traffic flow and a lower street aspect ratio. Discussion and conclusions : To our best knowledge, this is the first study of this kind in Montevideo. The results were statistically analyzed and discussed regarding the routes’ characteristics. However, the prevailing weather conditions had a strong influence on them. The latter implies a challenge to define public spaces’ design parameters, in order to achieve a more sustainable city. This study accomplishes a first approach for posing recommendations in this direction for Montevideo and a contribution for further research in the matter.

Keywords: environmental exposure; urban environment; active travel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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