The Journal de l’Environnement relays the information revealed by the Belgian mobility organisation Touring, according to which traffic lights would be highly responsible for urban pollution. It is common knowledge that cars braking and pulling away because of traffic jams pollute much more than when the traffic is moving freely. What Touring adds is that carbon dioxide emissions treble when vehicles are stopped by non-synchronised traffic lights. Touring calls into question the policies of the Brussels region in particular, which – according to them – “even refuses to synchronise traffic lights supposedly to discourage car drivers.” Rather than trying to dissuade inhabitants from taking their cars, the organisation therefore suggests improving the urban flow through the implementation of counts – in order to determine the optimum control – and having a functional monitoring operated by a dedicated staff.

Source : Le Journal de l’environnement

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