International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Impact of vehicular pollution on overall quality of urban life
Abhisar Singh
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Technical University Lucknow, India ***
Abstract - Rapid urbanisation and motorisation have significantly increased vehicular pollution in cities, making road transport one of the dominant contributors to urban air pollution. Pollutants such as particulate matter (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) have severe implications not only for environmental quality but also for public health and overall urban livability. Vehicular pollution affects multiple dimensions of urban life, including physical health, commuting experience, walkability, comfort, productivity, and social equity.
This study examines the impact of vehicular pollution on the overall quality of urban life from a planning and policy perspective. The research is based on a qualitative analysis of secondary data obtained from government reports, published literature, and policy documents. Case studies of Delhi and Bengaluru are analysed to understand pollution intensity, vehicular characteristics, health impacts, livability outcomes, and policy responses.
The findings indicate that vehicular pollution significantly deteriorates air quality, increases health risks, reduces streetlevel comfort, and negatively affects daily urban experiences. Car-dependent urban forms and inadequate public transport exacerbate these impacts.Thestudyconcludesthataddressing vehicular pollution requires integrated urban and transport planning approaches, including public transport strengthening, transit-oriented development, non-motorised transport promotion, and demand management measures to enhance the overall quality of urban life.
Key Words: Vehicular Pollution, Urban Livability, Air Quality, Transport Planning, Public Health,IndianCities
1.INTRODUCTION
Vehicularpollutionhasemergedasamajorenvironmental and urban livability challenge in rapidly urbanising cities. The growth of private motor vehicles, coupled with inadequate public transport systems, has led to increased emissionsofparticulatematterandgaseouspollutants.Road transport is a key contributor to urban air pollution, particularlyPM₂.₅,PM₁₀,andNO₂,whichposeseriousrisks tohumanhealth.
Beyondhealthimpacts,vehicularpollutionaffectstheoverall quality of urban life by reducing walkability, increasing commuting stress, degrading public spaces, and
disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. Understanding these impacts is essential for integrated urban,transport,andenvironmentalplanning.
2. NEED OF THE STUDY
Indiancitiesarewitnessingrapidgrowthinprivatevehicle ownershipduetourbansprawlandweakpublictransport systems.Studiesindicatethatvehicularemissionscontribute nearly30–40%ofurbanairpollutioninmajorIndiancities. While existing research largely focuses on air quality or health impacts, limited attention has been given to the broadereffectsofvehicularpollutiononurbanlivabilityand everydayexperiences.
Thereisaneedforaplanning-orientedandintegratedstudy that links vehicular pollution with quality of urban life parameterssuchascomfort,mobility,safety,andequity.
3. AIM AND OBJECTIVES
Aim
Tostudytheimpactofvehicularpollutionontheoverall qualityofurbanlife.
Objectives
To study the nature and extent of vehicular pollutioninurbanareas
Toanalysetheimpactofvehicularpollutiononkey parametersofurbanqualityoflife
Toexaminenationalandinternationalexperiences relatedtovehicularpollution
To review government policies and programmes aimedatreducingvehicularpollution
4.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
Scope
Focus on vehicular pollution from road-based transportinurbanareas
Assessment of environmental, health, social, and livabilityimpacts
Literature-basedstudyusingsecondarydata
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
CasestudiesofDelhiandBengaluru
Planningandpolicy-orientedanalysis
Limitations
Noprimarydatacollectionorfieldsurveys
No GIS-based spatial analysis or air dispersion modelling
Relianceonavailabilityandaccuracyofsecondary data
Findingsbasedonselectedcasestudies
5.
METHODOLOGY
The study is based on a qualitative literature review of governmentreports,researchpublications,airqualitydata, and policy documents. Case study analysis is used to examine pollution levels, vehicular characteristics, health impacts, and policy responses. Comparative analysis is undertaken to derive planning insights and recommendations.
6. LITERATURE REVIEW
Vehicularpollutionhasbeenwidelyrecognisedasamajor contributor to urban environmental degradation, particularlyinrapidlyurbanisingcities.Existingliterature on vehicular pollution can broadly be classified into four themes: air quality and emission studies, health impact assessments, urban livability and social impacts, and planning and policy-oriented studies
[1] Vehicular Pollution and Urban Air Quality
Several studies by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and World Health Organization (WHO) identify roadtransportasadominantsourceofurbanairpollution, especially particulate matter (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀) and nitrogen dioxide(NO₂).Researchindicatesthatvehicularemissions contribute 30–50% of PM₂.₅ and over 70% of NO₂ concentrationsintraffic-dominatedurbanareas.Studiesby HEI (2019, 2020) highlight that Indian cities frequently exceednationalandinternationalairqualitystandards,with traffic corridors emerging as pollution hotspots. These studiesestablishastronglinkbetweenmotorisationlevels, congestion,anddecliningairquality.
[2] Health Impacts of Vehicular Pollution
Alargebodyofmedicalandenvironmentalhealthliterature focusesontheadversehealthimpactsofvehicularpollution. Studies by WHO, HEI, and CSE report that long-term exposure to PM₂.₅ is associated with respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, reduced lung function, and prematuremortality.Urbanpopulationslivingnearmajor roads are found to be at higher risk. While these studies
quantifyhealthburdenseffectively,theyoftentreatpollution asapublichealthissueinisolation,withlimiteddiscussion onbroaderurbanlivingconditions.
[3] Vehicular Pollution and Urban Livability
Recenturbanstudieshaveexpandedthediscussionbeyond health impacts to include quality of urban life and livability dimensions. Researchers argue that vehicular pollution negatively affects walkability, street comfort, publicspaceusage,anddailycommutingexperience.High traffic volumes increase noise pollution, heat stress, and safetyrisks,discouragingwalkingandcycling. UN-Habitat (2020) and World Bank studies highlight that trafficdominated urban environments reduce social interaction anddisproportionatelyaffectchildren,elderlypopulations, andlow-incomegroups,therebyraisingequityconcerns.
[4] Urban Form, Transport Systems, and Pollution
Planning-oriented literature establishes a strong relationshipbetween urban form, transport systems,and pollution levels. Studies show that car-dependent, lowdensity urban development leads to higher vehicle kilometres travelled and increased emissions. In contrast, compacturbanforms,mixedlanduse,and transit-oriented development (TOD) significantly reduce vehicular dependence and pollution exposure. Research from international case studies such as London and European citiesdemonstratesthatintegratedland-useandtransport planningimprovesbothairqualityandurbanlivability.
[5] Policy and Planning Responses
Policy-focusedstudiesexaminemeasuressuchas emission standards (BS-VI), vehicle electrification, congestion management, and public transport expansion. While emission norms reduce per-vehicle emissions, studies by ICCT highlightthatoverallpollutionreductionislimitedif vehicle numbers continue to rise. Literature also suggests that short-term measures like traffic restrictions or emergencyactionplansimproveepisodicairqualitybutfail toaddresslong-termexposurewithoutstructuralplanning reforms.
[6] Research Gaps Identified
Thereviewrevealsthatwhileextensiveresearchexistson vehicular pollution and health impacts, limited studies adopt an integrated urban planning perspective linking pollution with overall quality of urban life. Most Indian studies focus on air quality indices or medical outcomes, withinsufficientemphasisondailyurbanexperiencessuch as comfort, mobility, and social well-being. This gap highlightstheneedforplanning-ledresearchthatintegrates environmental,social,andspatial dimensionsofvehicular pollution.
2026, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.315 | ISO 9001:2008
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
7. CASE STUDY 1: DELHI
Delhi is one of India’s largest metropolitan regions and experiences severe air pollution episodes, particularly duringwinter.Withapproximately 7.9 million registered vehicles, dominated by two-wheelers and private cars, vehicular emissions contribute significantly to PM₂.₅ and NO₂levels.
The annual average PM₂.₅ concentration in Delhi (~100 µg/m³) far exceeds national and WHO standards. Traffic corridorsactaspollutionhotspots,directlyaffectingpublic health, outdoor activity, and daily comfort. Vehicular pollution in Delhi has led to increased respiratory and cardiovascularillnesses,reducedwalkability,andsignificant economiclosses.
Government measures such as BS-VI emission norms, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), metro expansion, and electric bus induction have shown partial improvements,butlong-termexposureremainshighdueto regionalandstructuralfactors.
8. CASE STUDY 2: BENGALURU
Bengaluruhasexperiencedrapidperipheralgrowthandhigh vehicle ownership, with nearly 10.2 million registered vehicles andavehicle-to-populationratioamongthehighest in India. Two wheelers dominate the fleet, contributing significantlytoon-roademissions.
Although Bengaluru’s PM₂.₅ levels are lower than Delhi’s, NO₂concentrationsalongtrafficcorridorsfrequentlyexceed standards, indicating strong vehicular dominance. Congestion, low average travel speeds, and limited public transportshareexacerbatepollutionimpacts.
Initiativessuchas Namma Metro expansion,BS-VInorms, electric vehicle policies, and cycling infrastructure have yielded positive outcomes, but gaps remain in last-mile connectivityanddemandmanagement.
Table -1: COMPARATIVEANALYSIS:DELHIAND BENGALURU
Parameter Delhi Bengaluru
Vehicle Growth High Veryhigh
PM₂.₅ Levels Extremelyhigh Moderate
NO₂
Contribution High Veryhigh
Urban Form Dense+regional pollution
Livability Impact
Severehealth& comfortloss
Dispersed,cardependent
Congestion& mobilitystress
Policy Response Reactive+ regulatory Infrastructure-led
9. KEY FINDINGS AND INFERENCES
Vehicular pollution is a major contributor to deterioratingurbanairquality
Impactsextendbeyondhealthtolivability,comfort, productivity,andequity
Car-dependenturbanformsintensifypollutionand exposure
Public transport and compact development reduce pollutionimpacts
Short-term measures are insufficient without structuralplanningreforms
10. CONCLUSION
Vehicular pollution poses a serious threat to the overall quality of urban life in Indian cities. While emission standardsand technological improvementsare necessary, theyareinsufficientontheirown.A planning-ledapproach integrating land use planning, public transport, nonmotorisedmobility,anddemandmanagementisessentialto reduce vehicular pollution and enhance urban livability. Sustainable urban transport planning is key to achieving healthier,moreliveablecities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Iexpressmysinceregratitudetomydissertationguide Pl. Ar. Arundhatee Mishra,AssistantProfessor,andthefaculty members of the Department of Architecture and Planning, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow,fortheiracademicguidance,continuoussupport, and valuable suggestions throughout the course of this study. I also acknowledge the support and coordination providedbythedissertationcoordinators Ar.GauravSingh and Ar. Deepti Sagar, whose guidance contributed significantlytothecompletionofthiswork.Iamgratefulto the researchers, institutions, and government agencies whosepublishedliterature,reports,andpolicydocuments formedthebasisofthisresearch.
REFERENCES
[1] CentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB),Governmentof India
[2] CentreforScienceandEnvironment(CSE), StateofAir in India
[3] HealthEffectsInstitute(HEI), State of Global Air
[4] WorldHealthOrganization(WHO), AirQualityGuidelines
[5] Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), GovernmentofKarnataka.