Assessing the impacts of infrastructural road changes on air quality: A case study

Air quality (CO, NO, NO2, NOX, PM10 and C2-C6 hydrocarbons) was assessed in the Irish town of Monasterevin, before and after the location was by-passed with a new national motorway (M7). Prior to the opening of the motorway, transport between the cities of Dublin and Cork was facilitated by the N7 which ran through Monasterevin, leading to frequent congestion. Weekday air quality improved in the town following the opening of the M7 by-pass, with a reduction in ambient concentrations observed for all compounds except ethane and propane. Slight decreases in average weekend concentrations were observed for CO, NOX, NO, and NO2.