LAQM Tools

This page provides tools to assist local authorities with the Review and Assessment process. The tools are available to download in a variety of file formats. Some basic information about how to download files and the different file formats supported is provided here. Some of the tools contain macros. Some users of MS Excel may need to alter their "macro security settings" to get these tools to run. Some guidance on this for users of Windows XP can be found by clicking here. Users of other software should contact their IT support. Some of the tools must be downloaded as "zip" files and will need to be "unzipped" prior to use. There is a large amount of free software available on the internet which can perform this task (users might try typing "zip" into a search engine or contacting their IT support).

The following tools are currently available:

Background Maps

UK background pollution maps and associated tools can be downloaded here.

Tools for Diffusion Tubes

A database of bias adjustment factors for local authorities to use to correct their diffusion tube measurements is available here. If local authorities have their own co-location studies and do not wish to use the factors provided in the database above, they may calculate their own bias adjustment factor. A spreadsheet has been designed to assist with this. The spreadsheet calculates the precision and accuracy (bias) of individual co-location studies and gives 95% confidence intervals in the bias adjustment calculations. This spreadsheet can be downloaded here.

TEOM VCM Correction

King's College ERG have developed a new model to correct TEOM concentrations to "gravimetric equivalent" values, based on the purge concentrations measured by FDMS analysers. To assist local authorities with the Volatile Correction Model, ERG has developed a web portal that will allow the correction algorithms to be automatically applied.

NO_X from NO₂ Calculator

This calculator allows local authorities to derive NO₂ from NO_x wherever NO_x is predicted by modelling emissions from roads. The calculator can also be used to calculate the road component of NO_x from roadside NO₂ diffusion tube measurements. It incorporates the impact of expected changes in the fraction of NO_x emitted as NO₂ (f-NO₂) and changes in regional concentrations of NO_x, NO₂ and O₃. An updated version of the calculator, Version 2.1, released 22 January 2010, can be downloaded here. (The earlier Version 1.1 is available here, if still required). Important: Please save these files to a local drive before using by right-clicking the link and choosing Save Target As... or Save Link As..., it may not function correctly if opened directly from the link in your browser window. Download NO_x from NO₂ FAQ

Guidance on the DMRB Screening Model

The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Screening Model published by the Highways Agency can be used for Review and Assessment purposes. A revised version of this model is expected to be issued during 2009. Until this is published, these instructions should be followed. They explain where the model can be found and how it should be used and can be downloaded here.

Emission Tools

A suite of tools are available to help local authorities assess their local emissions.

Nitrogen Dioxide Fall off with Distance

A calculator has been produced which estimates the annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentration at one distance from a road, using measurements made at a different distance from the same road. The calculator can be downloaded here.

A report which supports the calculator can be downloaded here.

Supplementary Assistance Spreadsheet for Stack Height Calculation

A chimney height calculation spreadsheet for sulphur dioxide emissions from small boilers is available. Download the spreadsheet here. Also, a report giving supplementary assistance on stack height determination in relation to sulphur dioxide emissions from small boilers can be downloaded Supplementary Assistance on Stack Height Determination (PDF).

Additional Guidance on Consideration of Railways

Frequently Asked Question giving guidance on assessing emissions from railway locomotives.

Web-based Reporting

Defra and the Devolved Administrations will be moving to web-based reporting for Progress Reports and USAs from 2009. This will provide a uniform on-line template which will enable both the production and appraisal of these reports to be carried out in a much simpler manner. Registration on the web-based reporting website can be carried out here.

Analysis of the relationship between annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentration and exceedences of the 1-hour mean AQS Objective

This report provides an updated analysis of the relationship between the annual mean and the number of exceedences of the 1-hour objective for nitrogen dioxide. It is intended to confirm whether the existing relationship still holds. Such a relationship is useful for Local Authorities who are monitoring annual mean NO₂ concentrations using diffusion tubes, or who wish to estimate the likelihood of the 1-hour objective being exceeded from modelling studies. Monitoring data have been analysed from a multiple network base of around 200 monitoring sites across the UK. This report is supplementary to the LAQM Technical Guidance (09). Download the report here. (PDF)

Derivation of Screening Criteria for Review and Assessment of Airports - 2008 Update

Since the publication of LAQM.TG(03), additional information related to the air quality impacts of airport operations has become available, and it is now appropriate to review these threshold criteria in light of this new information. This analysis has helped to formulate the updated guidance to be published in LAQM.TG(09). Download the report here. (PDF)

Technical Guidance: Screening assessment for biomass boilers

Biomass calculators are available for download. A report is also available, which provides background information on methods of assessing the impact of biomass combustion appliances on air quality as set out in LAQM.TG(09). Download the report here (PDF).

Updated Future-Year Roadside Projection Factors for NO₂

Box 2.1 in LAQM.TG(09) allows the calculation of future year concentrations from measured concentrations. With the release of new emission factors for road vehicles, the forward projection factors have changed. An updated version of Box 2.1 is available here.