Examining the Potential of Micromobility to Reduce Urban Air Pollution and Associated Health Hazards

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between micro-mobility usage and air quality across six major cities in Turkey, highlighting the environmental benefits of sustainable transportation systems. Micro-mobility, including e-scooters and bicycles, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuel-dependent modes of transport. To quantify the adoption of micro-mobility, a Micro-Mobility Usage Index (MMUI) was developed, using data on user frequency from the Moovit platform. Air quality indicators, PM2.5 and PM10, were derived from the World Air Pollution platform. Among the cities studied, Antalya displayed the highest MMUI score (61.4) and the lowest PM2.5 (54.7) and PM10 (51.2) levels, suggesting a strong link between high micro-mobility adoption and improved air quality. In contrast, Ankara had the highest PM2.5 concentration (99.2) and a lower MMUI (20.3). The Pearson correlation coefficients indicated a strong negative relationship between MMUI and air pollution levels, with values of -0.8932 for PM2.5 and -0.8364 for PM10. These findings underscore the potential of micro-mobility systems to mitigate urban air pollution, though challenges such as infrastructure and cultural acceptance remain critical.

Keywords

• Sustainable transportation
• Health hazards
• Air Quality

References

1. A. Celebi and B. Eren, “Chemical and Biological Human Health Risk Assessment of Water Pollution Afterward of Earthquake,” Academic Platform Journal of Natural Hazards and Disaster Management, 1(1), 59-65. 2018.
2. P. Singh and D. Yadav, “Link between air pollution and global climate change,” Global Climate Change, pp. 79-108, Jan. 2021.
3. A. Özden, A. Talu, and A. Korkmaz, “An Examination of Urban Air Quality and Noise Pollution Under the Impact of Redirected Traffic: A Case Study of Alifuatpaşa, Sakarya,” The Black Sea Journal of Sciences, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 1807-1824, Dec. 2024.
4. T. Campisi, E. Kuşkapan, M. Y. Çodur, and D. Dissanayake, “Exploring the influence of socio-economic aspects on the use of electric scooters using machine learning applications: A case study in the city of Palermo,” Research in Transportation Business & Management, vol. 56, no. 101172, Feb. 2024.
5. M. M. Abdel Wahed Ahmed and N. Abd El Monem, “Sustainable and green transportation for better quality of life case study greater Cairo–Egypt,” HBRC Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 17-37, Jan. 2020.
6. J. Beaudoin, Y. H. Farzin, and C. Y. C. L. Lawell, “Public transit investment and sustainable transportation: A review of studies of transit's impact on traffic congestion and air quality,” Research in Transportation Economics, vol. 52, pp. 15-22, Apr. 2015.
7. D. Kurniawan, “Investigating the effectivity of promoting electric vehicle to reduce air pollution: An analysis of Indonesia power plants,” Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. e2731-e2731, Mar. 2024.
8. A. Bretones, O. Marquet, C. Daher, L. Hidalgo, M. Nieuwenhuijsen, C. Miralles-Guasch, and N. Mueller, “Public health-led insights on electric micro-mobility adoption and use: a scoping review,” Journal of Urban Health, vol. 100, no. 3, pp. 612-626, Aug. 2023

9. M. A. Sahraei, E. Kuşkapan, and M. Y. Çodur, “Impact of Covid-19 on public transportation usage and ambient air quality in Turkey,” Promet-Traffic & Transportation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 179-191, Mar. 2021.
10. A. Bikis and D. Pandey, “Air quality at public transportation stations/stops: contribution of light rail transit to reduce air pollution,” Aerosol Science and Engineering, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1-16, Jan. 2022.
11. E. Ferrero, S. Alessandrini, and A. Balanzino, “Impact of the electric vehicles on the air pollution from a highway,” Applied Energy, vol. 169, pp. 450-459, Nov. 2016.
12. E. Kuşkapan and M. Y. Çodur, “Promoting Pedestrian Transportation to Reducing Air Pollution from Urban Transport,” Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 47-53, Apr. 2022.
13. I. López-Dóriga, G. Vich, S. Koch, S. Khomenko, O. Marquet, O. Roig-Costa, ... and N. Mueller, “Health impacts of electric micromobility transitions in Barcelona: A scenario analysis,” Environmental Impact Assessment Review, vol. 96, pp. 106836, Jul. 2022.
14. T. G. Wu, J. C. Chang, S. H. Huang, W. Y. Lin, C. C. Chan, and C. F. Wu, “Exposures and health impact for bicycle and electric scooter commuters in Taipei,” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 91, no. 102696, Sep. 2021.
15. Turkish Statistical Institute, “Address Based Population Registration System”, https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=49685 , [Nov. 14, 2024]
16. M. A. Sahraei, E. Kuşkapan, and M. Y. Çodur, “Public transit usage and air quality index during the COVID-19 lockdown,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 286, no. 112166, Dec. 2021.
17. N. M. Wambebe and X. Duan, “Air quality levels and health risk assessment of particulate matters in Abuja municipal area, Nigeria,” Atmosphere, vol. 11, no. 8, Aug. 2020.
18. P. Schcher and L. A. Schwarte, “Correlation Coefficients: Appropriate use and Interpretation,” Anesthesia and Analgesia, vol. 126, no. 5, pp. 1763-1768, May 2018.
19. E. Kuşkapan, “An assessment of the relationship between micro-mobility use and air quality in selected cities,” Urban Climate, vol. 58, no. 102180, Feb. 2024.