Impactos do espraiamento logístico na emissão de poluentes atmosféricos decorrente do transportes de cargas

Abstract

The logistical sprawl and urban fragmentation result in increased travel distances for freight vehicles, leading to higher emissions of atmospheric pollutants. In the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (RMF), the decentralization of logistics centers to peripheral areas has intensified these effects. As an alternative to this model of uncontrolled expansion, the concept of the 15- Minute City, already adopted in cities such as Paris, emerges as an urban planning strategy capable of reducing travel distances and mitigating environmental impacts. This study investigates the relationship between the dispersion of logistics centers and the growth of emissions, analyzing the evolution of urbanization and logistics activities over the past six decades. The methodology employed is based on geoprocessing and remote sensing techniques to map the expansion of the urban area and the location of major freightgenerating hubs, with an emphasis on food wholesalers. From these points, 15-minute isochrones were applied, considering travel at 35 km/h to assess logistics accessibility and its relationship with pollutant emissions. As a metric, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was obtained through atmospheric modeling. The results indicate that, between 1980 and 2020, there was a significant increase in the urbanized area in the RMF, and that since the 2000s, logistics sprawl has intensified, reducing coverage within the 15-minute isochrone and significantly increasing travel distances, contributing to the deterioration of air quality. The analysis revealed that the 15-minute zones had a lower average concentration of pollutants, highlighting the potential of this model as an alternative to mitigate the environmental impacts of freight transport. It is concluded that the integration of urban planning and sustainable logistics is essential to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life in the RMF, emphasizing the need for public policies aimed at urban mobility and environmental control.