Urban areas face growing challenges from climate change, declining air quality, and increasing traffic congestion. Traffic congestion intensifies air quality issues, directly impacting the health and well-being of urban residents. Notably, pollutants like Nitric oxide (NO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), and Particulate Matter less than 10 micrometers (PM10) are significant contributors to mortality rates in cities. Meteorological factors such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure also play crucial roles in the dispersion and accumulation of pollutants. Given Norway’s diverse geography, with cities experiencing varying climates and weather conditions, understanding these dynamics is particularly challenging. Despite being a leader in sustainable development, Norway faces its own challenges related to traffic pollution.
This study integrates a decade’s worth of data from 2009 to 2018, covering daily weather, traffic, and air pollution in six major Norwegian cities: Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Fredrikstad, Stavanger, and Tromsø. The dataset, derived from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the Norwegian Institute of Air Research, and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, provides a comprehensive resource for researchers and policymakers.
I started by focusing on Norway’s ten most populous cities, conducting detailed examinations of traffic and air pollution monitoring sites. After identifying these key sites, I matched weather variables to them, ultimately compiling a comprehensive dataset spanning from 2009 to 2018 in six Norwegian cities. The locations of the monitoring stations are shown in Figure 1, with red hollow circles indicating the specific sites.
Figure 1. Map showing the locations of monitoring stations, sourced from a Google map, Map data ©2024 Google
Creating such a database was challenging. One of the primary hurdles I faced was the different geographical locations of the monitoring stations for the three types of data sources in each city. I aimed to find the richest weather factors and the air pollution caused by traffic at these locations. My focus was on harmful air pollutants that have health consequences, including nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The data collection process required careful planning and execution to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
This dataset includes detailed information on harmful pollutants and weather variables, providing a comprehensive view of the environmental conditions in these cities. Its value lies in its potential for multidisciplinary research and evidence-based policymaking, helping to clarify the complex interactions between weather, traffic, and air quality in urban environments.
The resulting dataset is available in Excel or CSV format, ensuring compatibility with various analysis tools. It covers daily observations for a decade, including detailed information on common pollutants and weather variables. The dataset can be accessed at the Scientific Data Bank platform, and the description can be found in Scientific Data, which provides researchers with a valuable resource for a wide range of applications, from epidemiological studies to urban planning and climate modeling.
This dataset holds significant promise for various research and policy applications:
Epidemiological Studies: Linking environmental exposures to health outcomes, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Transportation Planning: Assessing traffic congestion and developing strategies to mitigate its impact on air quality.
Climate Modeling: Evaluating the impact of urbanization on local weather patterns and developing sustainable urban planning initiatives.
The integration of weather, traffic, and air pollution data from Norway’s six largest cities provides a valuable resource for understanding urban environmental dynamics. By offering a comprehensive view of the interactions between these factors, this dataset facilitates informed decision-making and policy formulation, ultimately contributing to the development of healthier, more sustainable cities.