Ricardo experts’ innovative research recognised in Leading Lights Paper of the Year Award

The technical leadership of Fabio Galatioto, an Emissions and Air Quality Associate Director, and the excellent work from a cross-disciplinary team of experts at Ricardo, has been recognised with the award of Paper of the Year at the 2023 Ricardo Leading Lights. The award acknowledges both Fabio’s impressive global technical leadership and the exceptional contributions of a cross-disciplinary team, covering emissions inventory, modelling and the air quality fields, as showcased in the innovative research presented at conferences throughout the year.

Ricardo has the longest established air quality expert team in the UK and one of the largest air quality teams in Europe. As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, we work with cities across the world to address the challenge of understanding and managing the complexity of urban air quality, helping to protect the health of their citizens. Our experienced team of environmental experts, scientists and engineers understand the integrated nature of a city and how air quality links with urban transport policy, energy and climate change, waste and water. Using innovative technologies and data-driven best practices is what creates the most impactful and effective solutions for our global clients. This is why, as a company, we value the essential and important research undertaken and presented by our experts, like Fabio, and recognise outstanding efforts to push the boundaries of knowledge. 

The paper for which Fabio received the award on behalf of the team is: Review of road dust resuspension modelling approaches and comparisons analysis for a UK case study. As our road transport systems evolve towards full electric solutions, non-exhaust emissions have become the major source of urban particulate matters (PM) from transport. The deposition on road surfaces and moving traffic generate road dust resuspension (RDS), an important but yet under-explored contributor to urban PM levels. The paper offers insightful recommendations for long-term modelling improvements as well as suggested enhancements, including an in-depth exploration of temporal effects on particulate matter levels caused by RDS, an analysis of the influence on various tyre materials and designs (including shape, dimensions and tread), and an examination of the impact of different pavement types – both existing and new road surface varieties.

Describing what the award meant to him, Fabio said: “This award highlights the significance of cross-team collaboration within Ricardo and that even the smallest task for a client can deliver ground-breaking innovative work with high visibility.”

Read the published paper