Emissions and vehicle kilometres by type of road in the Netherlands, 2002

Of the total number of car kilometres in the Netherlands, approximately 30% are travelled in built-up areas; oxides of nitrogen are mainly formed on motorways, where engine temperatures are high.

Most emissions in built-up areas

Carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs, excluding methane) and to a lesser extent particulate matter (PM₁₀) are mainly emitted by road vehicles inside built-up areas. One reason for this is driving style (frequent acceleration and braking); the other is the effect of cold engines. The latter is particularly relevant for vehicles with catalytic converters, since they only start to operate when the engine is warm.

Most emissions on motorways

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) are mainly formed at high engine temperatures, and therefore at high speeds (on motorways, for example). The use of three-way catalytic converters (for petrol and LPG engines) and exhaust gas recirculation (for diesel engines) have considerably reduced NO_x emissions. A more detailed explanation of the causes of emissions is given elsewhere.
See also: Emissions to air by Traffic and transport in the Netherlands, 1990-2002*, for a description of the causes of the various emissions.
See also: Air quality alongside traffic routes in the Netherlands, 1990-2002

Technical note

See: Meta-information of the Data Warehouse 'Emissieregistratie' for descriptions of the calculation method.

References

• CBS (2004). Statline: Luchtverontreiniging, emissies door wegverkeer. Statistics Netherlands, Voorburg/Heerlen.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Guide to societal developments relating to traffic and transport , for data about volume developments in the target sector.
• Emissions to air by target sector, 2002*
• Guide to Environmental theme of Climate change (greenhouse effect)
• Guide to Environmental theme of Acidification and transboundary air pollution
• Air quality alongside traffic routes in the Netherlands, 1990-2002

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• More emissions data can be found in Statline (Statistics Netherlands). Recent emission data and descriptions of the calculation methods used (meta-information) can be viewed in detail on the Data Warehouse of the 'Emissieregistratie'.