Pollutant forecast launched for Berlin roads

Berlin has a new forecasting tool for air quality (archive photo).

People who walk or cycle to work can now find out online how polluted the air is likely to be on their route.

The new «Digitale Plattform Stadtverkehr» («Digital Platform for Urban Traffic») calculates forecasts for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter pollution on main traffic routes based on measurement data and weather forecasts, as announced by the Senate Department for Transport. ‘The new data platform supports the important work of our experts and also gives all Berliners a comprehensive overview of the current air quality at all times,’ said Transport Senator Ute Bonde.

Precise upper limits for nitrogen dioxide along traffic routes

Roads with good and very good nitrogen dioxide values below 25 micrograms per cubic metre are marked in dark and light blue. Poorer values from 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre are shown in pink or red. Values in between are labelled yellow. To protect health and the environment, certain upper limits for nitrogen dioxide along traffic routes apply in the EU. At the respective measuring point, they may not exceed an annual average of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. The one-hour limit value may not exceed 200 micrograms per cubic metre more than 18 times per year.