Building Targeted Air Quality Evidence for Local Policy in Leicester

Air pollution is considered by Public Health England to be the single greatest environmental health threat in the UK, with 28,000 - 36,000 premature deaths each year attributable to long term air pollution exposure. Local authorities are being encouraged to implement a wide range of changes in their jurisdictions to reduce air pollution exposure, including investing in foot and cycle paths and redesigning cities so people are less exposed to highly polluting roads.

However, further evidence is needed to understand which interventions are the most effective and in which contexts.

The University of Leicester has a longstanding partnership with Leicester City Council on projects relating to understanding local air quality. Leicester, like many local authorities, is currently investing in infrastructure to promote modal shift in transportation from private cars to walking, cycling and public transportation. Some local changes include low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and new on- and off-road cycle lanes.

To ensure they invest in changes that are most effective at improving air quality, the council are keen to understand quantitatively how recent and progressing infrastructure updates will impact air quality and air pollution exposure.

This PhD will investigate several specific areas in the city to understand through flexibly deployable air quality sensor networks, personal monitors and high resolution air quality model data how fine scale air quality relates to the local infrastructure. The work will focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and will aim to improve source apportionment of the different local sources of these pollutants.

The PhD student will work closely with Leicester City Council to capture baseline data before planned infrastructure changes to provide the opportunity for 'before' and 'after' comparisons. The research questions will be guided by areas where evidence is needed by the council, and public engagement around the work will be conducted along with the council.