CLEAR - Cluster of European Air Quality Research

Aim of CLEAR
The overall aim of CLEAR will be to improve our underpinning scientific understanding of urban air pollution and to provide next generation tools for end users and stakeholders to manage the air quality in cities.

The main objectives will be threefold:

• To significantly increase our understanding of sources and processes so as to provide end users and other stakeholders with next generation tools and methodologies for assessing the impacts of indoor and outdoor air pollutants in urban areas.

• To improve our capability for identifying suitable impact reduction options to improve urban air quality in line with major European initiatives such as CAFE.

• To enhance the interface between air quality science and technology and urban governance, end users and the citizen thereby optimising local decision making.

Scientific and Technological Benefits

The projects within CLEAR are addressing the following main areas of urban air quality research:

• Sources, processes and atmospheric composition . In particular the projects such as URBAN AEROSOLS, OSCAR, SAPPHIRE and BOND are focussing on challenges related to NO, NO2, O3, aerosols and PAHs.
• Impacts of urban air pollution.  Whilst most of the projects address the underlying science to improve our understanding of factors that affect and control our exposure to various air pollutants, URBAN EXPOSURE, FUMAPEX and ISHTAR will develop new tools for its estimate for individuals and the population as a whole in a given area. Similarly, impacts related to traffic emissions and deterioration of monuments are being addressed by OSCAR and ISHTAR.
• Multiple scale interactions . Pollution dynamics are being investigated at various scales ranging including micro to local (ATREUS, URBAN AEROSOL, URBAN EXPOSURE and ISHTAR), local to urban (OSCAR) and urban to regional (BOND and FUMAPEX).
• New generation models and tools. CLEAR projects will deliver new models for identifying sources (SAPPHIRE) and predicting and assessing the dispersion and impact of urban air pollution. The OSCAR system, for example, will have the capability to identify best impact reduction options for users.
• Mitigations measures/policies. By working with end users, including through INTEGAIRE, CLEAR will help to identify mitigation measures and policies to reduce the impact of air pollution in our cities.
• New datasets. SAPPHIRE, OSCAR, URBAN EXPOSURE and URBAN AEROSOL are generating new data on air pollution levels in numerous European cities. INTEGAIRE and OSCAR are collating relevant information on policy measures, such as those related to road transport. FUMAPEX is collating data on meteorological and air quality models.

Socio-Economic Benefits

CLEAR will also have a significant socio-economic impact. Examples of benefits resulting from CLEAR activities include:

• End user orientated strategies for adaptation, mitigation, managing traffic congestion, emissions, source attribution, exposure and impact on monuments
• New assessment tools for meeting requirements of current and future air quality legislation
• Improved interface between the science and end users
• Direct influence on the RTD process by end users
• Longer term - Improved environment for citizens and a better quality of life – business, health and recreation
• Improved interface with urban governance
• Effective European-wide dissemination/exploitation