More than 900 vehicles failed environmental emissions checks in Almaty during a pilot project to introduce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), the website infohub.kz reports.
According to the Almaty akimat's press service, the city is continuing pilot work on the LEZ project, aimed at reducing harmful emissions from vehicles and improving air quality. The akimat presented interim monitoring results for September.
"A total of 6,833 vehicles were checked at control posts. Exceedances of the established standards for harmful emissions were detected in 922 vehicles (13.5%). After their fuel systems were adjusted, 561 vehicles successfully passed repeat measurements. This confirms that timely maintenance and proper tuning of a vehicle can help reduce emission levels," the akimat said.
The pilot project is said to allow authorities to collect data on the condition of vehicles, assess the scale of the problem and shape further approaches to cutting harmful emissions.
Experts estimate that motor vehicles account for about 70% of air pollution in Almaty. Monitoring emissions and raising vehicle owners' environmental responsibility therefore remains one of the ways to improve the quality of the urban environment.
"At this stage the project continues to operate in pilot mode. The data obtained will be used for further analysis and decision-making. The project does not provide for entry restrictions, fines or road tolls. The pilot will run until the end of the current year," the akimat said.
As reported earlier, Almaty launched its first low emission zone on a pilot basis. At this stage, no traffic restrictions or fines for drivers are envisaged.
The pilot currently operates within a square bounded by Bogenbai Batyr Street to the south, Abai Avenue to the north, Zheltoksan Street to the east and Dostyk Avenue to the west. The project operator is the state-owned utility Almaty Parking.
In late September it was announced that proposals had been made to expand low emission zones in Almaty and create them across the entire city.
The Almaty akimat also said when it would begin fining drivers of vehicles that do not meet environmental standards for entering the LEZ.