Kapsch takes Spanish steps towards another LEZ

Kapsch TrafficCom is to help introduce a low-emission zone in the Spanish city of Pontevedra by the end of the year.

The entire city is a restricted traffic zone, which has led to a "very positive reduction" in pollution.

The new project includes supply and installation of traffic cameras, weather stations, pollution sensors, communication systems and software, and is aimed at achieving air quality standards set by the World Health Organisation in 2021. 

“Low-emission zones can be a powerful lever to significantly reduce traffic emissions," says Juan Zamakona, MD of Kapsch TrafficCom Iberia.

"In London, for example, CO2 pollution has been reduced by 20%, while in Milan a similar measure has resulted in an 18% drop in particulate matter."

Data in Pontevedra will feed into Kapsch's EcoTrafiX traffic management system, which the city uses already for urban mobility management.

Following Madrid and Castelló, Pontevedra is the latest Spanish city to introduce such a zone, using technology from the company. 

The €818,000 project is partly-funded by the EU's Next Generation Funds to develop digitalisation in cities.

As well as improving air quality, Pontevedra's authorities also want to improve modal shift towards more sustainable means of transport than private car, while also detecting areas that cannot cope - or are struggling - with average daily traffic intensity. 

The information from the sensors on all types of mobility in relation to air quality and noise data will enable officials to take measures to achieve the objectives set out in Pontevedra's SUMP (Sustainability Urban Mobility Plan).