Brussels 2020
In parallel to the characterization carried out in Warsaw, the ICCT subcontracted Opus to carry out another similar project in Brussels. In this case Opus partnered with Turbospec, an expert in traffic and enforcement in Belgium.
This project is even more ambitious and complicated. Measurements had to be taken in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, including a devastating second wave in the country while measurements were being taken, which was associated with severe mobility restrictions in the city.
In addition to measuring the emissions of the city's vehicles, Bruxelles Environment is also measuring the noise of vehicles as they pass by, in order to correlate these measurements with actual emissions. That study may result in a new understanding of the relationship between these two modes of pollution. The consortium is also working with inspection bodies to study how remote RSD measurements relate to MOT testing, which could change the way vehicle emissions are controlled nationally.