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The dark side of Low Emission Zones: Revealing mobility-related vulnerabilities in Madrid

Author

Listed:
  • Elizondo-Candanedo, Raúl F.
  • Martín, Belén
  • Navarro-Ligero, Miguel L.
  • López-Lambas, María Eugenia
  • Ortega, Emilio
  • Soria-Lara, Julio A.

Abstract

The implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) has been widely promoted as a key transport policy to improve urban air quality. Beyond their environmental benefits, the extent to which LEZs may also reinforce mobility-related vulnerabilities among specific population groups remains understudied. This research examines the social vulnerability implications of LEZs by analysing the most affected socioeconomic groups in terms of access restrictions and how they respond to these restrictions. The empirical focus is based on a LEZ implemented in Madrid, Spain, in 2018. Madrid's initiative restricts vehicle access with older internal combustion engines, according to the Spanish environmental classification system for vehicles. A mobility survey with a total of 9479 responses was used. Clustering techniques and multinomial logit regression were employed to segment affected groups and identify key factors that explain them. Four affected groups were studied: early adopters, pragmatic drivers, legacy drivers, and structurally disadvantaged travellers. The findings reveal that while some groups, such as early adopters, opt for upgrading their vehicles to minimize the potential effects of LEZ' access restrictions, others face significant mobility barriers due to financial constraints (e.g., legacy drivers and structurally disadvantaged travellers). The results discuss a vision of LEZs as scalable policy solutions, highlighting the need for tailored, equity-focused strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizondo-Candanedo, Raúl F. & Martín, Belén & Navarro-Ligero, Miguel L. & López-Lambas, María Eugenia & Ortega, Emilio & Soria-Lara, Julio A., 2025. "The dark side of Low Emission Zones: Revealing mobility-related vulnerabilities in Madrid," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:174:y:2025:i:c:s0967070x25003932
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2025.103850
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