The Impact of Route Choice on Active Commuters' Exposure to Air Pollution: A Systematic Review

As air pollution varies significantly in both space and time, commuter exposure may differ considerably depending on the route taken between home to work. This is especially case for active mode commuters who often have a wider range of choices available them compared with those traveling by private motor vehicle or public transport. The aim this study was investigate effect choice among commuters, estimate, based modeling, health benefits able be achieved from reductions, modeled across population, through optimization. We searched studies that used portable personal monitoring equipment during commuting, reported measurements quality at least two routes, either as journey work school. World Health Organization (WHO) model AirQ+ then exploited estimate premature deaths attributable according choice. Ten publications were identified met inclusion criteria. Ultrafine particle counts (UFP), black carbon (BC), monoxide (CO) most commonly measured pollutants identified. exposures associated “high exposure” “low routes (categorized differences traffic roads along commute walking opposite sides road different levels each direction) found vary average 30 ± 8%, 42 35%, 55 17% BC, CO UFP, respectively. On basis estimated up 36 out 10,000 could prevented choosing low high commuting. results useful individuals their planning, also urban transport planners impetus investing infrastructure support healthy