Pollution from road traffic could have a greater role in harming the health of children than previously thought. A new study based on research in 10 European cities estimates that 14% of chronic childhood asthma is a result of traffic pollution near busy roads.
An alliance of road freight interests has launched ‘Green Freight Europe’, aimed at working out a reliable method of measuring emissions from lorries. The group of hauliers, transport logistics firms and companies that use lorries to transport goods set out its scheme last month in the presence of the EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas. Estimates of today’s fuel efficiency of lorries vary widely.
The European Commission is considering a change in the interpretation of its legislation on so-called megatrucks. Under the new interpretation, the cross-border circulation of megatrucks, which is currently prohibited, would be allowed. This decision would have a negative impact on road safety and infrastructure and would drastically impact on the competitive position of the rail freight sector, without any benefits for the environment.
Pregnant women who breathe in pollution could be giving birth to children with lower intelligence, says a study from the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health in America.
Initial results from Berlin's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) show some encouraging results.
Compromise appears to have been reached over the EU's current draft legislation on capturing vapour at petrol stations.
Legislation to force the largest filling stations to fit vapour recovery technology moved a step closer, when the European Parliament's environment committee approved a Commission proposal.
Lorries cause vastly more environmental damage and congestion than their share of Europe’s road vehicles leads people to believe, according to a report for T&E that has been published as the EU debates a controversial revision of the Eurovignette directive.
Austria has once again found its attempts to protect itself from the effects of road traffic rejected by EU lawyers.
The future of green road charging schemes in Europe has been hampered by a vote in the European Parliament's Transport Committee.