The ERG has developed a unique modelling/emissions capability; the ‘London Air Pollution Toolkit’. This has been the model of choice for a number of important developments for London, including detailed modelling for the review and assessment process, to estimate the impacts associated with the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and for the impacts associated with Congestion Charging. Additionally the ‘Toolkit’ has provided the basis for environmental impacts for a wide variety of schemes, including the Thames Gateway, container terminal development, the Greenwich Peninsula development, the new Thames river crossing and in support in the Mayor of London’s air quality strategy.
Features
The toolkit uses unique methods to provide highly detailed spatial maps. Predictions can be made at 5m intervals. Use of accurate road networks also allow detailed air pollution exposure assessments.
Outputs are compatible with GIS tools.
Unique treatment of NOX/NO2 chemistry and new PM10 model, incorporating PM2.5 results.
Extensive validation undertaken using London Air Quality Network (LAQN) dataset and statistical treatment of sources emitting pollutants at different heights.
Utilises most recent street canyon model (OSPM v5.0.64).
Capable of modelling > 1 million individual sources each with different source characteristics.
Other modelling capabilities
In addition to the ‘Toolkit’, the ERG has use of individual models, such as OSPM, ADMS and AERMOD, for specific modelling requirements, for example, the effects of shipping, large industrial processes, detailed street canyon studies and in support of large infrastructure developments.
Environment Agency Modelling Software
The ERG provides innovative solutions to modelling problems, an example of which is the software developed for the Environment Agency study of large industrial plant in the East Thames corridor. The software allowed the analysis of scenarios to be made without lengthy model runs being undertaken.