title: Optimal air quality policies and health: a multi-objective nonlinear approach.
abstract: The use of modelling tools to support decision-makers to plan air quality policies is now quite widespread in Europe. In this paper, the Regional Integrated Assessment Tool (RIAT+), which was designed to support policy-maker decision on optimal emission reduction measures to improve air quality at minimum costs, is applied to the Porto Urban Area (Portugal). In addition to technological measures, some local measures were included in the optimization process. Case study results are presented for a multi-objective approach focused on both NO2and PM10 control measures, assuming equivalent importance in the optimization process. The optimal set of air quality measures is capable to reduce simultaneously the annual average concentrations values of PM10 and NO2in 1.7 and 1.0 μg/m3, respectively. This paper illustrates how the tool could be used to prioritize policy objectives and help making informed decisions about reducing air pollution and improving public health.
authors.affiliation: CESAM, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. helder.relvas@ua.pt.
authors.forename: Helder
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7676-2667
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Relvas
authors.affiliation: CESAM, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Isabel
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carnevale
authors.affiliation: TerrAria s.r.l, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maffeis
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marialuisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volta
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000397:Air Pollution; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants
keywords: Cost-benefit; Emission reduction scenarios; Integrated assessment modelling; Multi-objective approach; Surrogate model; Urban air quality planning