Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Air Quality and Health Benefits Study

The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Air Quality and Health Benefits Study is a 3-month study implemented by Clean Air Asia in partnership with Urban Emissions Pvt Ltd and experts from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Civil and Structural Engineering Department.

The study aimed to:
1. simulate the impact of the Cebu BRT project on the improvement of air quality and health from the reduction in mobile air pollution sources,
2. define an air quality monitoring action plan along the BRT corridor with recommendations on ways to strengthen the city’s capacity on air quality monitoring and emissions inventory, and
3. develop a public campaign plan to enhance public support for the BRT project by emphasizing its health co-benefits.

From June to August 2012, the Project Team implemented the project with the following stages:

The Transport Emissions Evaluation Model for Projects (TEEMP) Tools was used to estimate the emissions for the “without BRT” and “with BRT” scenarios.

The study assessed the baseline health impacts of current air pollution trend (based on the estimated emissions inventory and concentration profile for the base year) and compared future scenarios for potential emission savings from BRT system in terms of health impacts (mortality and morbidity). The changes in ambient particulate pollution and linked health impacts of the proposed BRT system for Cebu City was analyzed using the Simple Interactive Models for better air quality (SIM-air) Tools.

Experts from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University conducted a rapid air quality assessment by the roadside along the BRT corridor. An action plan was drawn up to engage all interested parties from the very first beginning of the air quality monitoring work. The action plan included regular briefing/ training sessions and some sharing sessions of experience in using the equipment, collation, analysis and interpretation of data.

Supported by the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD).

Contact:

Glynda Bathan, glynda.bathan(at)cleanairasia.org