Masami Kojima

'Urban Air Quality Management' examines the contribution of vehicles to urban air pollution which is a growing problem in many cities in developing countries. It evaluates the priorities for air quality management programs, and reviews national, municipal, and World Bank experience with pollution-reduction efforts. This book draws lessons from this assessment and offers recommendations for priorities in developing coordinated assistance strategies in the environment, urban transport, and energy sectors.

Given the preponderance of evidence showing that diesel fumes are more toxic than previously known, there has been greater interest in substituting diesel with natural gas for vehicles operating in cities where there is greater air pollution. This report examines whether natural gas vehicles are an important part of solving this problem. Transit buses, traditionally fueled by diesel, are one of the cheapest forms of mass transit. They are also significant polluters and typically operate in heavily congested urban areas, where significant air pollution problems exist. The report provides an overview of the issues that must be considered when evaluating natural gas an alternative to diesel for use in transit buses.

Urban air pollution is a matter of increasing concern in many of the newly independent states (NIS). Traffic is burgeoning in cities, but vehicle registration, inspection, and maintenance lag behind what is needed to support efforts to improve air quality. Poor fuel quality worsens the emissions problems. Although certain emissions, such as greenhouse gases, are of global concern, the greatest costs of air pollution at the local level are to human health. This study examines the obstacles to improving air quality in the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus and makes observations about the present air quality and monitoring systems and recommendations for improvement.