Cleaner Air for Scotland 2: delivery plan

Priority 4: Data

We regularly review our approaches to data collection and utilisation, to ensure that we realise the potential of new technologies, continue to collect data that are relevant, robust and fit for purpose, and link effectively to related datasets that can provide added value in supporting joined up policy delivery

Our strategic approach includes:

• The National Transport Strategy 2
  https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/national-transport-strategy-2/
• National Modelling Framework
  Cleaner air for Scotland: the road to a healthier future - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• National Low Emissions Framework
  National low emission framework - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Digital Strategy for planning
  Transforming Places Together: digital strategy for planning - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Outcomes:

4. We address the gaps in both quality and coverage of air quality, transport and human health data in Scotland and provide effectively integrated datasets for use by local authorities and transport authorities.

5. We enable traffic data to be collected in a manner that supports local air quality objectives, as well as local development planning and regional transport modelling.

6. We embrace new technologies to complement current air quality monitoring networks

Actions:

Our key short term actions (to 2022)

• The Scottish Government with support from SEPA will commission a review of air quality data collection and reporting in Scotland. The review will identify any notable gaps in data provision, with recommendations on how to fill these. The review will also provide recommendations on how current air quality data and methodologies can be more effectively integrated with other datasets, particularly those relating to transport, human health, environmental quality and spatial planning.
• The Scottish Government with support from SEPA will provide guidance to local authorities on how best to always commission traffic data collection in a way that supports local air quality objectives.
• Transport Scotland, SEPA and Scottish Government will work together to develop a central data storage for traffic data to support the development and use of SEPA's National Modelling Framework (NMF) (and UK AERIUS).
• Transport Scotland will establish a comprehensive network of air quality emissions monitors on local and trunk roads in the early 2020s.

Our key long term actions (to 2026)

• The Scottish Government with support from SEPA, Transport Scotland and Health Protection Scotland will explore options for transport, air quality and health data-sharing between relevant public bodies.
• Transport Scotland with support from SEPA will undertake a review of [road] transport data capture and associated gap with relevance to air quality.
• Transport Scotland with support from SEPA will develop an approach for standardised annual collection and storage of traffic data which can be used for multiple purposes, including air quality management.
• Transport Scotland with support from SEPA will collect transport data within Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and beyond to support air pollution mitigation planning, following the good practice established by SEPA's National Modelling Framework (NMF).
• The Scottish Government with support from SEPA will commission research to explore the potential of utilising satellite data to complement air quality monitoring.