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Worldwide, one of the most important causes of mortality is air pollution. To solve this problem, governments have implemented policies to reduce on-road and industrial emissions. In this regard, the Barcelona city council and Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) started implementing the Nova Xarxa de Bus (NXB) to redefine the bus network following the criteria of connectivity, efficiency, and rationality. This policy was implemented in seven phases from 2012 to 2018. In this context, this paper analyses the impact of this policy on Barcelona's air quality using a dataset from 2008 to 2016. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we show that implementing these new routes increased air quality in Barcelona. Additionally, we show that pollution decreased in each phase analysed, especially in the air quality stations near the main roads. From our results, we can infer that an optimal bus route design can improve air quality in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing concern over air pollution and community health, demands a comprehensive understanding of the political nature of transport-related emissions. This paper approaches how structures of power influence travel behaviour and, consequently, how they shape emissions from mobility in Barcelona. To comprehend how the intersection of gender, age, and migration background influences air pollution, we use a travel survey to build a set of models that are known to theoretically engage with intersectionality studies. Results show that identities tied to structures of power promote a greater contribution to air pollution than other mechanisms. That is, middle-aged European-born men have the most NO x -intensive mobility practices. In contrast, people that embody intersectional experiences of oppression such as misogyny, racism, or ageism, have lower emission levels. Considering these results, we argue that policies which acknowledge the unequal distribution of responsibilities present an opportunity to reduce emissions from transportation, while guaranteeing fairness and advancing environmental justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two speed management policies were implemented in the metropolitan area of Barcelona aimed at reducing air pollution concentration levels. In 2008, the maximum speed limit was reduced to 80 km/h and, in 2009, a variable speed system was introduced on some metropolitan motorways. This paper evaluates whether such policies have been successful in promoting cleaner air, not only in terms of average pollutant levels but also during high and low pollution episodes. To do so, we use a quantile regression approach for fixed effect panel data, which allows us analyzing different scenarios (beyond the average levels). We find that the variable speed system improves air quality with regard to the two pollutants considered here, being most effective when nitrogen oxide levels are not too low and when particulate matter concentrations are below extremely high levels. However, reducing the maximum speed limit from 120/100 km/h to 80 km/h has no effect – or even a slightly increasing effect – on the two pollutants, depending on the pollution scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examines sound level meter errors when measuring direct fly-over aircraft noise in presence of background noise. Since the meter is unable to separate aircraft noise from background noise, an array of 12 microphones is used to measure direct aircraft noise avoiding the effect of the ground reflections and urban background noise. Using this technique, aircraft noise can be separated from the background noise providing a reference value of the aircraft sound pressure level for the sound level meter measurement. Measurement is carried out using both a sound level meter and the array in an urban environment with high background noise level near Barcelona Airport. Finally, the experimental measurement errors of the sound meter are within 1dB of the theoretical values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Metro and RENFE strikes increase air pollution. • Air pollution is slightly affected by bus strikes. • Effects on pollution are larger for public transports with no direct substitutes. • Metro and RENFE commuters switch to private cars when there is a strike. • FGC users switch to non-pollutant transports during strikes. Many Spanish cities' air contains excessive levels of pollutants caused by traffic. These pollutants are associated with high concentrations of vehicles in urban and surrounding areas, such as Madrid and Barcelona. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 96.8% of Spain's population breathe polluted air. This paper provides empirical evidence on the effect of public transport strikes on Barcelona's air quality through an econometric analysis. The period analyzed included 147 days of some kind of public transport strike: bus (57), metro (21), trains (71), and tram (4); and also four general strikes. The estimates show that public transport strikes increases the concentration level of SO2, CO, PM 10 , and NOX throughout the city, especially in the case of metro and RENFE trains. These results also allow us to understand how commuters substitute transport modes and to propose specific policies to increase public transport use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cruises increase air pollution, being docked cruises the main pollutant activity. • Newer and heavier cruise ships increase the levels of all pollutants. • Cruises arriving to the newest terminal have a higher impact on pollutants. • Cruise activity increase pollution by more than 60% over city average at 1 km. • Our simulations show that all the city of Barcelona is affected by cruise activity. One of the main causes of mortality worldwide is air pollution. To tackle this problem, local, regional and national governments have implemented policies to reduce emissions from industrial and on-road sources. However, when these policies are being designed, shipping emissions are often overlooked. There has been a drastic increase in the demand for cruises and its economic relevance is also growing in port-cities. Barcelona is Europe's leading cruise port, and it is located near the centre of the city. In this context, this paper analyses the impact of cruise ships in the air quality of the entire city of Barcelona using a dataset with information about pollutants and the number of cruises arriving to the port. We show that there is a direct impact between cruises staying at the port and city pollution. Additionally, the size and age of the cruise also affect air quality. The larger (or newer) the cruise is, the higher the emission generated. Moreover, our simulations show that the whole city is affected by these emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]