Reduction of the external factors associated with the Litoral ring road
Air quality and noise are two of the most important environmental problems in Barcelona, as they are in many other large cities, and have a direct impact on people’s health. In both cases, current levels are higher than the reference values for guaranteeing health, and road traffic is a major contributor to this.
The ring roads are a significant source of pollution and daytime and night-time noise for the local population and users. Their impact on the population differs along the entire length of the road, depending on the proximity of the houses, the location of the ring road in each section, traffic speed and the height of the buildings. The actions to tackle the problems of air quality and noise consist of studying measures to restrict the most polluting vehicles that drive around the ring roads, extend the 60 km/h stretch of the Ronda Litoral ring road, take protective measures in nearby homes (façade insulation) and minimise noise by means of screening, sound-absorbent paving or covering the ring roads.
What are we doing?
Activation and roll-out of the Barcelona Low Emission Zone (LEZ) by 2020. Vehicles with environmental labels 0, ECO, C or B can circulate without restrictions. In contrast, light vehicles such as motorbikes and mopeds (L) and cars (M1) without an environmental label are not allowed to circulate:
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Petrol passenger cars (M1) prior to the Euro 3 standard (usually registered before 2000) and diesels prior to the Euro 4 standard (usually registered before 2005 or 2006).
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Motorcycles and mopeds (category L) prior to Euro 2 (usually registered before 2003).
Other vehicles have progressively been added to the restrictions. Vans (N1), lorries (N2, N3) and buses (M2, M3) without an environmental label: -
From 1 April 2021, vans (category N1) with petrol engines prior to the Euro 3 standard (usually registered before 2000) and diesel engines prior to the Euro 4 standard (usually registered before 2005 or 2006).
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From 1 January 2022, lorries (N2, N3) and small coaches (M2) prior to the Euro 4 standard (usually registered before 2006 or 2007).
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From 1 July 2022, buses and coaches (M3) used for collective transport prior to the Euro 4 standard (usually registered before 2006 or 2007).
