The air clears for everyone
Today, Brussels is among the top 10 European cities with the most polluted air. Exhaust gases play a crucial role in this. In that respect, SmartMove makes Brussels more liveable.
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In short
The intelligent kilometre charge literally clears the air. Thanks to the decrease in traffic in Brussels we will get:
- up to 12.2% less fine dust in the morning rush hour.
- up to 11.4% less NOx (nitrogen oxides), including nitrogen dioxide, responsible for 1/4 of childhood asthma cases.
- up to 6.3% less CO2 emissions, helping Brussels to meet its climate commitment.
The situation today
Brussels is the European city with the 8th most NO2 in the air
- In a study of mortality from nitrogen dioxide in 1,000 European cities, Brussels' poor score puts it in 8th place (ISGlobal Ranking, 2021).
- If we achieve the same standards as the healthiest city (Tromso, Norway) that would save 577 lives per year.
Too much dust in our lungs
- Fine dust consists of microscopic particles of dirt floating in the air, such as soot from diesel engines.
- If the concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres) fell below the threshold set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), we could avoid 231 deaths annually.
CO2 emissions: more than 1/4 comes from traffic
- Road traffic is responsible for 29% of our CO2 emissions in Brussels (Brussels Environment).
- Transport is one of the few sectors with a growing share of greenhouse gas emissions.
- If Brussels wants to meet its climate targets, local CO2 emissions from traffic must also be tackled.
Do you know what you are breathing?
Everyone knows that exhaust fumes are harmful. But what exactly do they contain?
Nitric oxide, a sneaky poison*
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a brownish-red toxic gas that smells bad and can cause irritation of the respiratory tract.
- Nitric oxide is formed during the combustion processes in vehicles and in heating systems. 43% of NO2 concentrations are due to traffic.
- The level of nitrogen dioxide or NO2 is therefore often used as a measure of air pollution from traffic.
- Short episodes of high concentrations, but also long-term exposure to low concentrations, are harmful.
- A quarter of all annual asthma cases in children are due to NO2.
Up to 11.4% less NOx
thanks to less traffic, fewer idling engines and more use of more sustainable means of transport.
There’s nothing fine about fine dust*
- ‘Fine dust" is the collective term for all airborne particles smaller than 10 micrometres (PM10).
- Particles smaller than 0.1 micrometre (PM0.1) are referred to as ultrafine dust.
- Fine dust from traffic consists primarily of soot from internal combustion engines and dust from wear and tear on tyres, brakes and roads.
- Traffic is also responsible for fine dust formed by chemical reactions in the air with sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
- Fine dust can cause acute respiratory diseases, bronchitis and lung cancer.
- The smaller the dust particles, the deeper they penetrate into your lungs. Ultrafine dust even enters your bloodstream and the rest of your body directly, putting you at risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Up to 12.2% less fine dust in the morning rush hour
thanks to less traffic, fewer idling engines and more use of more sustainable means of transport.
Unhealthy ozone*
- The ozone layer in the stratosphere protects us from UV rays.
- But down on earth, the gas is harmful when inhaled in high concentrations.
- At ground level, ozone is formed by the action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases.
- High concentrations of ozone are mainly seen on sunny, windless days. The amount of ozone increases throughout the day.
- Ozone causes irritation of the throat, nose and eyes, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, headaches, nausea and dizziness.
- So the less exhaust, the less ozone.
How SmartMove improves air quality
Fewer cars, less air pollution
- The intelligent kilometre charge will reduce traffic volumes and the resulting air pollution.
- A better distribution of traffic throughout the day also reduces concentrations of exhaust gases, which are particularly high near the major traffic arteries.
Less stationary traffic, less emissions
- When traffic is stationary, diesel engines in particular emit more soot particles, along with sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
- Smoother traffic results in better combustion, so less polluted air.
Combining modes of transport easily is the future
- SmartMove will encourage more people to make different transport choices that are often kinder to the environment.
- We see this change in behaviour mainly among the people of Brussels themselves:
- 6 to 7% more often by bike.*
- 5 to 6% more often leave their car for public transport.*
Greening of the car fleet
- New technologies ensure less polluting combustion engines and lower consumption.
- The rise of electric cars is accelerating due to wider availability and greatly improved range.
- An incentive-based tax system encourages the choice of more environmentally friendly cars.
- The intelligent kilometre charge is partly based on engine power (fiscal horsepower). Electric vehicles do not pay a starting fee. In this way, SmartMove encourages more environmentally friendly options when choosing a vehicle.
Air quality in real time
Brussels constantly keeps its finger on the pulse through a number of measuring stations. This gives us a picture of the air quality in the entire region.
- The global index is calculated from measurements at all measuring points for ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and fine particulate matter (PM10).
- The results can be consulted here.
Both pollution peaks in winter and high ozone concentrations in summer trigger a warning.