From December 10, a new high pollution protocol will come into force in Madrid, which reinforces measures to protect the health of residents when nitrogen dioxide reaches harmful levels.
What is new in this new protocol?
The first major difference in the high pollution protocol is the limitation of the circulation of vehicles according to the environmental badge of the DGT, thus eliminating the discrimination by odd or even number plates.
In addition, the criteria for triggering warnings and advisories have been modified. Until now, the pre-warning was activated when the thresholds were exceeded at two stations in the same area. Now, it is added when thresholds are exceeded at any three stations in the network, thus giving more importance to districts outside the M-30.
Therefore, the following levels are contemplated:
Levels
PREAWARNING: when any two stations in the same area exceed 180 micrograms/m3 for two consecutive hours simultaneously or any three stations in the monitoring network exceed 180 micrograms/m3 for three consecutive hours simultaneously.
NOTICE: when any two stations in the same area exceed 200 micrograms/m3 for two consecutive hours at the same time or any three stations in the monitoring network exceed 200 micrograms/m3 for three consecutive hours at the same time.
ALERT: when any three stations in the same zone (or two in zone 4) exceed 400 micrograms/m3 for three consecutive hours simultaneously.
With 3 consecutive days of advance warning, scenario 3 may be declared. The activation of this scenario is also maintained after two days of warning. The activation of episodes and scenarios will occur when the AEMET forecast is unfavorable for pollution.
The high pollution protocol and the corresponding restrictions will be activated when the pre-warning or warning levels are exceeded, gradually starting always with the measures of the first scenario and continuing with the rest if the high pollution does not cease.
As for the scenarios, the existing measures are reinforced and one more is added, while the warnings are as follows:
Scenarios
Scenario 1: (first day of activation and 1 day of exceedance with warning level)
- Speed limit of 70 km/h on the M-30 and the accesses to Madrid within the M-40.
- Recommendation of the use of public transportation.
Scenario 2: (2 consecutive days with exceedance of the notice level or 1 day with exceedance of the warning level)
- Parking is prohibited in the SER parking spaces and timetables. Only ZERO and ECO vehicles are allowed to park.
- Vehicles without a DGT environmental label are prohibited from circulating in the central ring road and on the M-30.
- Measures of the previous scenario.
Scenario 3: (3 consecutive days with exceedance of the notice level or 2 consecutive days with exceedance of the warning level)
- The ban on vehicles without a sticker is extended to the entire city.
- Cabs that are not in service, except for ZERO and ECO vehicles, are recommended not to circulate.
- Measures of the previous scenario.
Scenario 4: (4 consecutive days with exceedance of the warning level)
- The circulation of vehicles with distinctive B is prohibited in the M-30 and central ring road.
- Prohibition to circulate free cabs, except those with ZERO or ECO label.
- Measures of the previous scenario.
Scenario 5 (Alert): (1 day of alert level), coincides with the alert level set by the European Union.
- Only ZERO vehicles will be allowed to park in the SER.
- Citywide ban on vehicles without an environmental sticker and B and C vehicles.
- Measures of the previous scenario.
Exceptions
Residents will be able to continue parking in SER parking in their neighborhood and plazas during the application of the measures, as well as people with reduced mobility, authorized as commercial and industrial SER with CERO, ECO and C (B until December 2020) rating, vehicles parked in areas reserved for their activity and autotaxis and public service rental vehicles with driver that are in service and their driver is present, among other exceptions.
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Regarding circulation, there will be exceptions for collective public transport, emergency services, vehicles of professionals whose start or end time of working day is outside the hours of coverage of public transport with prior authorization, vehicles for cleaning and management of urban trees. Commercial and industrial vehicles for urban distribution of goods (equal to or less than 3,500 kg until December 2019 and over 3,500 kg until December 2022), and some special vehicles such as cranes, funeral services, adapted for radio or television broadcasting or armored vehicles will also be allowed to circulate.