Mapping London Routes: Avoiding Air Pollution

Londoners are often faced with the challenge of navigating the city while minimising their exposure to air pollution. The issue has sparked innovation in the form of apps and tools that help individuals find the least polluted routes for their journeys. These solutions are particularly relevant for those who use public transport, such as the London Underground, where certain lines and stations are known to have poorer air quality. This article will explore the various resources available to Londoners seeking to map out routes with the lowest air pollution, improving their health and well-being.

Using apps such as City Air, CAIR, or Clean Air Route Finder to find low-pollution routes

There are several apps that can help you find low-pollution routes in London. One such app is City Air, developed by King's College London and the City of London Corporation. The app maps pollution concentration across multiple routes in London. Users can input their destination, and the app will suggest routes with low, medium, or high pollution levels. It uses data from monitoring stations, updated hourly, and can also alert you to days when pollution levels are expected to be high.

Another option is the Clean Air Route Finder, a journey planner developed by Cross River Partnership and Imperial College London. This app helps identify low-pollution walking and cycling routes by retrieving up to three alternative options from Google Maps and calculating the total modelled dose of pollutants along each route. The app takes into account nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM10 and PM2.5 particulates, using a combination of average concentrations, distance, and ventilation rates for walking or cycling. The results are then presented as a relative percentage difference in green (least exposure), amber (medium exposure), and red (highest exposure).

CAIR (Clean Air In London) is another app that provides information on air quality in London. While it may not specifically provide route suggestions, it offers real-time air pollution data and alerts for London, helping users understand the air quality at their location.

These apps can be valuable tools for Londoners and visitors alike, helping to reduce exposure to air pollution and improve health. They can guide users towards making small, regular changes to their routes, which can accumulate to provide significant health benefits.

Taking quieter routes to reduce exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can have adverse effects on human health. NO2 is a pungent, reddish-brown gas with a pungent smell. It is a member of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) family of reactive gases and is used as an indicator for the larger group of nitrogen oxides. NO2 is primarily released into the air through the burning of fuel, such as emissions from cars, trucks, and power plants.

Breathing in high concentrations of NO2 can irritate the airways and aggravate respiratory issues, especially asthma. Longer exposure to elevated levels of NO2 may even contribute to the development of asthma and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Studies have also shown associations between NO2 exposure and premature death, cardiopulmonary effects, decreased lung function growth in children, and intensified allergic responses.

To reduce exposure to NO2, you can take quieter routes when walking or cycling in London. The Clean Air Route Finder, developed by Cross River Partnership and Imperial College London, is a helpful journey planner. It identifies low-pollution routes by calculating the total modelled pollutant dose for NO2 and other particulate matters along up to three alternative routes. The routes are then colour-coded, with green indicating the least exposure, amber for medium exposure, and red for the highest exposure.

Another helpful app is City Air, developed by King's College London and the City of London Corporation. This app maps the concentration of pollution on multiple routes and allows you to input your destination to find routes with low, medium, or high pollution levels. By using these tools and opting for quieter, less polluted routes, you can effectively reduce your exposure to NO2 and improve your respiratory health.

Avoiding the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, and Victoria lines, which are the most polluted

London's underground rail network carries millions of passengers every day on its 11 lines and 272 stations. While the tube keeps London moving, the conditions can be cramped, uncomfortable, and unhygienic. Air pollution is a significant concern, with studies suggesting that long-term exposure to fine particulates could be linked to increased rates of chronic bronchitis and increased mortality from lung cancer and heart disease.

The Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, and Victoria lines are the most polluted, as they are the deepest. The deeper lines have insufficient airflow, allowing particulates to accumulate. In contrast, lines like the Metropolitan, Circle, and District have stations that are nearer to the surface or are at surface level, providing better ventilation.

To avoid these highly polluted lines, commuters can opt for alternative routes. The Metropolitan line, for instance, provides a faster journey between Finchley Road and Wembley Park, cutting seven minutes from journey times compared to the Bakerloo line. The District line is another option, with stations at Oxford Circus, Waterloo, and London Bridge, which are typically served by the highly polluted lines.

Additionally, several apps are available to help commuters navigate less polluted routes. City Air, developed by King's College London and the City of London Corporation, guides users to healthier routes by mapping the concentration of pollution on various routes. The app uses data from monitoring stations to suggest routes with low, medium, and high pollution levels. Similarly, an app developed by Tanya Beri, a former underground commuter, helps users find routes with minimal air pollution. By keying in a starting point and destination, the app produces the best low-pollution route. The Clean Air Route Finder is another journey planner that helps identify low-pollution walking and cycling routes. It calculates the total pollutant dose for various air pollutants along different routes and presents the information using a colour-coded system.

Walking or cycling to reduce exposure to air pollution

Walking or cycling instead of driving is a great way to reduce your exposure to air pollution. Not only does it benefit your health, but it also helps to reduce vehicle emissions that are polluting cities.

A study by Imperial College London found that walking and cycling in cities are good for health, despite higher exposure to air pollution. The study concluded that the health benefits of active travel outweigh the risks of air pollution in 99% of world cities. This is because physical inactivity is a more significant public health issue than the inhalation of polluted air. The study also found that London is one of the safer cities in the world to cycle and walk in terms of air pollution.

Another study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that walking for 30 minutes or cycling for 20 minutes on most days reduces the mortality risk by at least 10%. Active travel is also associated with a 10% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk and a 30% decrease in type 2 diabetes risk. The report also found that cancer-related mortality is 30% lower among those who commute by bike.

To encourage active travel, London has developed the Clean Air Route Finder, a journey planner that helps identify low-pollution walking and cycling routes. The route finder calculates the total pollutant dose along different routes for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM10 and PM2.5 particulates. The routes are then presented as a relative percentage difference in green (least exposure), amber (medium exposure), and red (highest exposure).

In addition to the Clean Air Route Finder, there is also an app called City Air that can help you choose routes with lower pollution levels. The app maps the concentration of pollution on multiple routes and allows you to input your destination to find routes with low, medium, and high pollution levels.

Using online tools and maps to find low-pollution routes

There are several online tools and maps available to help Londoners and visitors navigate the city while avoiding areas with high levels of air pollution. Here are some of the most popular and effective options:

City Air App

Developed by King's College London and the City of London Corporation, City Air is an application that helps users navigate London while reducing their exposure to air pollution. The app allows users to input their destination and then provides multiple route options, indicating the level of pollution for each route as low, medium, or high. It uses data from monitoring stations, updating hourly, and can also alert users when pollution levels are forecast to be high. City Air is currently available on iOS, with an Android version expected soon.

Clean Air Route Finder

The Clean Air Route Finder is a journey planner developed by the Cross River Partnership and Imperial College London. It helps users identify low-pollution walking and cycling routes by retrieving up to three alternatives from Google Maps. The tool calculates the total pollutant dose for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM10 and PM2.5 particulates, taking into account average concentrations, distance, and ventilation rates for different modes of travel. The results are presented using a colour-coded system, with green indicating the lowest exposure and red the highest. The Clean Air Route Finder uses live data from the London Air Quality Network (LAQN), ensuring that users receive the most up-to-date information.

CAIR London App

CAIR London is a mobile application specifically designed for users of the London Underground, aiming to reduce their exposure to air pollution while travelling on the tube. The app provides lower-pollution route options, creating a safer and healthier travel experience. It was founded by Tanya Beri, a Londoner who was shocked to discover the high levels of PM2.5 pollution on the Underground, often exceeding safe limits. CAIR London raises awareness of the tube's air pollution issue and offers a practical solution to those concerned about the health impact of their commute.

Interactive Map by Cross River Partnership

In addition to the Clean Air Route Finder, the Cross River Partnership has developed an interactive map of London. This map allows users to input any route and receive suggestions for low-pollution walking alternatives. By taking side street routes, individuals can significantly reduce their exposure to air pollution.

By utilising these online tools and maps, Londoners and visitors alike can make more informed decisions about their travel routes, minimising their exposure to air pollution and potentially improving their health and wellbeing. These innovative solutions empower individuals to take control of their environment and make positive changes to their daily routines.

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