Air quality effects of traffic in a canyon-like street (Falmouth, U.K.).

It has been suggested that in relation to air quality impacts, roads with low (<20000 vpd) traffic flow need not be considered as significant. This study examines this suggestion more closely by comparing real-time monitoring of traffic related pollutants (NO2, PM10 and PAH) at two sites (including a 'canyon-street') in Falmouth, Cornwall in relation to traffic flow. For comparison, real-time monitoring data for NO2 and PM10 is also taken from a well ventilated site in Camelford, Cornwall. The data obtained suggest that roads with traffic flow considerably lower than 20000 vpd can give rise to pollutant levels which have implications for human health. The application of simple linear regression techniques to the data suggests that under certain conditions simple estimates can be made in relation to likely traffic-related air quality effects in canyon-like streets.