Transport-related air pollution impacts human health as well as reducing visibility and causing brown haze. Health effects can range from respiratory irritation, headaches and coughing through to more serious conditions, such as increased hospitalisations and premature death.
Greenhouse gas emissions from road users and road construction contribute to global climate change. Changes in climate may also impact state highways through sea level rise, heavy rainfall and more frequent flooding.
The Transport Agency is committed to reducing the environmental effects of land transport and has an Environmental and social responsibility plan that addresses human health effects of transport such as air pollution (and other effects). The NZ Transport Agency also acknowledges its role to mitigate and adapt towards climate change.
For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz .
Standards, guidelines and specifications
The key documents which detail our requirements with respect to air pollution/quality impacts -
Guide to assessing air quality impacts from SH projectsGuide to road tunnels
Planning and assessment
Information on the planning and assessment process for roading projects and the Transport Agency's procedures and resources for air quality assessment.
Air quality screening modelMeteorological datasets
Construction
Road construction can result in adverse air quality, most commonly due to dust but occasionally also from odour. This section covers the resources available for better assessment and management of construction air quality.
Tunnels
Managing air quality in and around road tunnels efficiently and effectively can be a significant
challenge for road controlling authorities.
Monitoring
Road-traffic noise is generally assessed outside of buildings, however internal noise levels are important.
Vehicles
The composition of the vehicle fleet has a significant influence on emissions and subsequent impacts from the state highway network.
For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz .
