Ana Clara Vera de Armas

Este capítulo se basa en un proyecto que actualmente está en desarrollo.1 El citado proyecto tiene como objetivo general contribuir a la planificación del transporte activo en Montevideo a partir de la inclusión de la calidad de aire en la toma de decisiones. En específico, se pretende establecer vínculos con validez estadística entre la exposición a contaminantes ambientales durante el transporte activo y variables del entorno urbano. De establecerse, estos vínculos constituirán una herramienta para la zonificación del transporte activo en Montevideo, orientada al trazado de infraestructura ciclista a través de rutas de menor exposición ambiental, con base en los valores de las variables del entorno analizadas. Se busca también establecer un vínculo de trabajo con los usuarios del transporte activo en Montevideo en la temática de calidad del aire. En términos metodológicos, a partir del trabajo conjunto con colectivos ciclistas, que ofician como contraparte del proyecto, se definieron dos rutas de monitoreo en la ciudad. Seguidamente, estas rutas fueron relevadas con el objetivo de caracterizar sus entornos urbanos. En la actualidad se están realizando mediciones de exposición ambiental e impacto en salud, a lo largo de las rutas definidas, con la participación de ciclistas voluntarios oportunamente convocados y capacitados. De forma preliminar, se ha identificado la existencia de variabilidad temporal y espacial para las concentraciones y dosis de contaminantes y ruido, observándose vinculaciones con las condiciones meteorológicas. Por último, se describe el procesamiento de los registros necesario para la vinculación exposición-entorno.

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This article presents a case study related to environmental noise exposure of cyclists in Montevideo (Uruguay), as a part of a wider interdisciplinary research project. The main objective of this study was to find the most important parameters related to cyclists’ noise exposure in the city. Two monitoring routes were defined, and their traffic flows were characterized. After that, noise dosimetries were carried out along the monitoring routes, determining a set of relevant parameters for each measurement: L_Aeq, L_AF,10, L_AF,90, noise climate (L_AF,10–L_AF,90), kurtosis, occupational and environmental noise doses, exceedance time for each dose, and traffic flow by categories met during cycling. A total of 66 noise dosimetries were carried out: 34 on Route N°1 and 32 on Route N°2. L_Aeq was lower in Route N°1. With a basis in multivariate tests, the main variables related to noise exposure of cyclists were found to be the following: kurtosis; noise climate; total traffic; and number of trucks met during the trip. Noise doses were lower on Route N°1, as well as exceedance times, presenting this route with lower traffic flow and fewer trucks but narrower streets and higher street aspect ratio values. Better knowledge in terms of selecting healthier places for cycling routes was obtained: traffic flow—and not urban geometric characteristics—was found to be the main urban determinant of high noise doses.

Introduction: Active transport is encouraged by the Uruguayan authorities; however, the criteria for expanding the cycling routes are unclear. This article presents a research project aiming to examine statistically significant links between environmental exposure during active travel in Montevideo (Uruguay) and urban environment parameters. Methods: Two monitoring routes were defined by working with cycling groups, and their urban environments were characterized. PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and NO₂ concentrations and doses, and noise exposure doses, were measured. Simultaneously, meteorological parameters were recorded. The minimum required sample size was defined based on a statistical procedure: 30 samples were needed. Results: 31 environmental exposure measurements were performed on each route. The monitoring showed high temporal and spatial variability of the environmental parameters. The PM and NO₂ hot spots were not the same. Moreover, while Route N°1 presented higher PM₁₀ and NO₂ potential inhaled doses and higher NO₂ concentrations, the noise exposure doses were higher in Route N°2, with more traffic flow and a lower street aspect ratio. Discussion and conclusions: To our best knowledge, this is the first study of this kind in Montevideo. The results were statistically analyzed and discussed regarding the routes’ characteristics. However, the prevailing weather conditions had a strong influence on them. The latter implies a challenge to define public spaces’ design parameters, in order to achieve a more sustainable city. This study accomplishes a first approach for posing recommendations in this direction for Montevideo and a contribution for further research in the matter.