news 2020

Many of us rely on public transport to get to work, school, and to meet friends and family. But in the time of Covid-19, Dr Lena Ciric (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) asks: is it safe to use these vehicles and is there a difference between them? Transport has contributed to the spread of coronavirus - locally, regionally and internationally.

Routing apps such as Google Maps or Nokia's Here platform could offer a cost-effective way of calculating emission hotspots in real time, say researchers at the University of Birmingham. These apps routinely capture detailed information as motorists use the GPS technology to plan and navigate routes.

Drivers and passengers can inhale significantly lower levels of air pollution by setting their vehicle's ventilation systems more effectively and taking a 'cleaner' route to their destination, a new study reveals. Road transport emissions are major source of urban air pollution - nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) coming from vehicle exhausts, plus non-exhaust emissions such as brake dust, tyre wear and road dust in the case of PM.

Fears that electric cars could actually increase carbon emissions are unfounded in almost all parts of the world, new research shows. Understanding the effect of low-carbon innovations on relevant sectors of the economy, such as heating and transport, is crucial for the development of effective policy Pablo Salas Reports have questioned whether electric cars really are 'greener' once emissions from production and generating their electricity are taken into account.

A team of early-career researchers from the University of Cambridge are working with the county council to identify the best ways for Cambridgeshire to reach net zero emissions.

A study by University of Oxford researchers, published today in Social Science & Medicine , has found that ride-hailing provider, Uber, is associated with a 9% decline in serious road accident injuries in the UK. However, that relative improvement is counterbalanced by the fact that there was an increase in slight road accident injuries in London.

Altering the altitudes of less than two per cent of flights could reduce contrail-linked climate change by 59 per cent, says a new Imperial study. This new method could very quickly help to reduce the overall climate impact of the aviation industry. Dr Marc Stettler Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Aircraft contrails - the white streaks aircraft leave in the sky - could be as bad for the climate as their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Altering the altitudes of less than two per cent of flights could reduce contrail-linked climate change by 59 per cent, says a new Imperial study. Aircraft contrails - the white streaks aircraft leave in the sky - could be as bad for the climate as their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Now, Imperial College London-led research has found that flight altitude changes of just 2,000 feet could lessen their effect.