If a limit value is exceeded after it has entered into force an action plan has to be compiled. The limit value for particulate matter entered into force on 1 January 2005. Action plans comprise short-term measures to reduce the duration and extent of exceedances.
In many German cities the 24-hour limit value for particulate matter PM10 (50 µg/m3) was exceeded more often than the permitted 35 times per calendar year. For these cities, the competent authorities have developed action plans.
In addition to short-term measures established in action plans, plans or programmes are being developed for the cities concerned. These plans define medium and long-term measures to achieve compliance with the current limit values.
Measures in action plans
Typcially, the measures included in action plans follow a tiered concept with a main focus on traffic management and traffic reduction measures.
Traffic management and traffic reduction measures in action plans:- Improvement of traffic flow: stopping restrictions and optimisation of traffic light logistics
- Ban on driving for heavy goods vehicles in sensitive city centres by restriction of road access road, truck routing concepts
- Prevention of through-traffic in city centres
- Establishment of low emission zones (LEZ) in which only vehicles with enhanced emissions standards are permitted
- Speed limits
- Appeals to use the local public transport
- Improvement of construction site logistics in city centres
- Improvement of street cleaning, regular wet cleaning of street surfaces
- Use of low emission technology for municipal vehicles in affected areas, retrofitting of municipal vehicles with particle filters and switch to natural gas
- Inspections at construction sites for compliance with best available techniques, use of machines with low particulate emissions
- Wet cleaning of access roads to and traffic areas within plant and construction sites, speed limits on these roads, measures to prevent wind drift during the transport of bulk materials