Measures to improve air quality in Graz

The city of Graz has been fighting for years with exceeding the limit values for air pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10). Significant improvements have already been achieved with the establishment of the IG-L remediation area “Großraum Graz” and the implementation of various measures to reduce emissions. However, more are needed. Together with experts from TU Graz, the Federal Environment Agency, on behalf of the City of Graz, analysed and evaluated two concrete instruments regarding their potential for improving air quality: the collection of a city toll and the regulation of car-free days. The results show that both measures can effectively reduce traffic volumes and thus the environmental impact. As an overall concept, city toll has long-term advantages over the car-free day.