In order to solve Rome’s greatest environmental problem (transport and traffic), a number of city council departments are working together. These are: the Department of Mobility and Traffic Policies, the Automotive Transport society (Società trasporti Automobilistici - STA) and the companies which manage collective transport networks (inter urban buses - ATAC, intra urban buses - COTRAL and rail - Ferrovie dello Stato). Rome’s citizens and visitors make approximately 6 million trips a day, the majority of which use private vehicles. As a result Rome, like many other big cities, has a high level of atmospheric pollution. This is evident through the high concentration of pollutants which have been found in various urban contexts. The sources of air pollution are: vehicular traffic, heating systems, industrial plants and fumes from fuel delivery. These sources emit gaseous substances like nitrogen dioxide (NO²), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3), as well as dust and hydrocarbons.

All pollutants can damage health, especially in those members of the population at risk such as children and the elderly and the risk is greater when particularly high or critical levels of pollutants are reached. The Department of Environmental and Agricultural Policies is responsible for all aspects concerning air quality.

Measuring the concentration of pollutants

Rome has an excellent system for measuring atmospheric pollution which has been realised in collaboration with the Multi-zone Pollution Prevention Executive Committee. Air quality is constantly tested using 12 monitoring stations located in parts of the city representative of different situations (sites of high vehicular traffic, sites of high population, sites of background pollution and photochemical pollution).
As well as the monitoring of the various pollutants using technical instruments, Rome City Council has set up a bio-monitoring system in collaboration with the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Rome, “La Sapienza”. This system monitors the effect of ozone, one of the most insidious pollutants, on biological material. It consists of clones of clover, a network of biological sensors which allow for specific damage to be observed.

Controlling the emission of gaseous pollutants

The control of exhaust fumes has been carried out in Rome since 1994, but from 2000 all vehicles will have to be checked on a yearly basis. Vehicles with satisfactory levels will then be issued with a Blue certificate (“Bollino Blu”).

Controlling the efficiency of heating systems

Operation “Healthy boiler” means that all heating systems and boilers will be checked on a yearly basis in order to save energy and limit atmospheric pollution.

Blocking the circulation of cars without catalytic mufflers

From 1 September 2000, seven days a week and 24 hours a day, cars without a catalytic muffler will not be allowed within the area circumscribed by the urban peripheric railroad. This area represents about 1/5 of city council territory.
Rome, together with a number of other Italian cities, has decided to adhere to the Environment Minister’s proposal to block the circulation of all cars in the limited traffic zones one Sunday per month.

Closing down fuel stations located in the historic centre and in residential areas

More than one hundred fuel supply stations located in the historic centre have been closed down. This has been done in order to reach objectives of air quality established by ministerial regulations which state that average annual benzene levels of 10 mg/m³ must not be exceeded. This will ensure a significant reduction of benzene fumes coming from petrol delivery and supply.

Increasing the availability of rail-based public transport such as trams and urban rail

A new tract of the underground railway (Metropolitana linea A), has been completed.
23 kilometres of modern FM3 railway have been renewed (Cesano-La Storta-San Pietro)
An integrated road-based public transport network has been put into action dedicated to tourists and pilgrims. This initiative is in addition to the restructuring of ATAC’s existing bus network. Routes have been differentiated into express routes (with dedicated lanes) urban routes (on smaller streets and with more frequent stops) and exact routes (with timetables indicated on the stops). Together this makes for a 20% increase in public transport.

Increasing the amount of exchange parking

This facilitates the passage from private vehicle to public transport
Parking in Rome is a big problem. As in other large cities, metered parking has been extended from the historic centre into more peripheral areas. In addition, new exchange parking stations have been built next to the underground railway stations. In 1999, 9,000 new car spaces have been created in addition to the 35,000 created in the last few years.

Increasing the amount of bus lanes and establishing ‘green streets’ dedicated to public transport and pedestrians

From August 1999 Viale Libia, Viale Eritrea and via Nizza have become ‘green streets’, dedicated entirely to public transport, local traffic and pedestrians

Establishing limited traffic areas

In Rome, 4 different mobility areas have been established: the Limited Traffic Zone (zona a traffico limitato - ZTL) which coincides with the historic centre, the ‘railway ring’ - that part of the city which lies within the urban peripheric railroad, the green belt and the area within the major ring road. These zones become progressively more restrictive.
The “Blue Belt”, which was established in 1995, has been expanded in the years following and it is part of the strategy to dissuade the use of private vehicles in the historic centre. Soon electronic gates will be introduced next to the access points to the historic centre.

Developing and offering incentives to use collective taxis (taxibus)

On weekdays, it is possible to travel on a collective taxi with a single ticket. These taxis follow ATAC bus routes and can be taken from terminus to terminus or from one stop to another.

Introducing electrically powered transport vehicles

40 electric buses currently travel on Rome’s roads. There are three route which cross the city centre speedily, conveniently and ecologically.

Promoting and offering incentives for the purchase of electric cars and mopeds

An information campaign on incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles was launched in December 1999 with the slogan “Become a green rider”. This initiative is being promoted by Rome City Council in collaboration with W.W.F. and the Italia Nostra Association.
In addition, the parking stations near the horse riding track at Villa Borghese and Piazzale dei Partigiani offer a reduced price on the hire of electric mopeds. Here citizens can park their cars and travel into the limited traffic zones (historic centre). It is also possible to obtain information on the types of electric vehicles on sale and how one can be eligible for discounts and incentives promoted by the Minisrty for Environment and Rome City Council.
With the slogan “Send your moped to the wreckers, don’t wreck the environment”, Rome City Council has kept its citizens informed of the incentives available for the purchase of mopeds with a catalytic exhaust system which comply with the regulations set down by EURO 1 EURO 2. These incentives, which are less than those for the purchase of electric mopeds, require that old mopeds be traded in.

Building bicycle tracks

Currently Rome has a total of 35 kilometres of bicycle tracks and another 36 kilometres are currently being built. These can be used for sport and leisure and also by commuters.

Creating ‘pedestrian archipelagoes

Thanks to ever more stringent traffic limitations, numerous piazze in the city centre and in the suburbs have become pedestrian islands, creating an ‘archipelago’ of urban spaces belonging once more to pedestrians.

For small trips, it’s better to walk

A sedentary lifestyle is responsible for a large number of physical and psychological ailments. This kind of lifestyle should be modified in the same as way as any other behaviour which is dangerous to your health.

Take public transport

More people on buses, on trams and in the underground trains equals less cars, less traffic and less pollution. It is a simple equation for those who believe in sustainable development and it’s cheaper.

Carpool

Carpooling (with at least three people in each car) is a simple solution to limit the amount of cars on the road. It reduces petrol consumption and pollution and has the added advantage of company.

Look after your car and have exhaust emissions checked yearly (Blue Certificate)

If you must use your car to move around the city, either by choice or by necessity, it is important to maintain your car’s efficiency and remember to get a Blue Certificate

Drive carefully

Avoid hard braking and brisk acceleration.
During prolonged delays, turn off your engine

Purchase electric vehicles

Electric vehicles are the only alternative to cars with zero exhaust emissions. Electric mopeds are silent, can travel up to 50 kilometres and can be recharged using a domestic power point. They are also 90% cheaper to run than a normal moped.
By taking advantage of the City council ’s eco-incentives, citizens can trade in their old moped for a more ecological model. Other advantages besides that of being cheaper to run and of polluting less, these mopeds are exempt from circulation taxes and are eligible for a discount on insurance.