A core element of the TRUE Initiative is the ongoing collection of real-world emissions data from in-use vehicles in cities.

TRUE collaborates with local governments, on-the-ground partners, and research institutions to gather and analyse real-world emissions data that can support low emission transportation policies and actions.

Data comes from two main sources:

  1. Remote Sensing: A non-intrusive technique to capture a short sample of emissions data from vehicles during normal, on-road operation in a city
  2. Database and toolkit analysis: Utilizing existing data sets, new conclusions can be drawn about vehicle fleets and their impact on local environments.

This data can be used to craft new policies and improve existing programs to better address the harmful emissions from motor vehicles and the related health impacts. TRUE’s global reach extends to cities in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

TRUE analysis can:

  • Demonstrate the extent and negative impact of real-world vehicle emissions in a city
  • Provide evidence and build public support for city-level low-emission transportation policies and actions
  • Accelerate a shift to zero-emission vehicles
  • Encourage an uptake in alternative forms of mobility, such as walking, cycling, and public transport.

The TRUE project has already compiled a large database of real-world emissions data collected by the initiative, third-party institutions, or research consortium (e.g., CONOX and CARES projects, Transport Scotland, etc.).

With ongoing data collection since 2017 in cities around the world, the TRUE Initiative now yields a database of over 70,000,000 vehicle records on 4 continents.

Real-world NOx emissions from diesel pickup trucks in the United States: A 2023 update Real-world NOx emissions from diesel pickup trucks in the United States: A 2023 update

Real-world NOx emissions from diesel pickup trucks in the United States: A 2023 update

Potential impacts of a low-emission zone on air pollutant emissions in Gliwice Potential impacts of a low-emission zone on air pollutant emissions in Gliwice

Potential impacts of a low-emission zone on air pollutant emissions in Gliwice

Real-world vehicle emissions in four major Scottish cities Real-world vehicle emissions in four major Scottish cities

Real-world vehicle emissions in four major Scottish cities

Real-world motor vehicle exhaust emissions in Delhi and Gurugram using remote sensing Real-world motor vehicle exhaust emissions in Delhi and Gurugram using remote sensing

Real-world motor vehicle exhaust emissions in Delhi and Gurugram using remote sensing

Assessment of real-world passenger vehicle and taxi emissions in Mexico City Assessment of real-world passenger vehicle and taxi emissions in Mexico City

Assessment of real-world passenger vehicle and taxi emissions in Mexico City

Assessment of real-world vehicle emissions from four Scottish cities in 2022 Assessment of real-world vehicle emissions from four Scottish cities in 2022

Assessment of real-world vehicle emissions from four Scottish cities in 2022

Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Abu Dhabi Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Abu Dhabi

Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Abu Dhabi

Impacts of a low-emission zone on air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions in Warsaw Impacts of a low-emission zone on air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions in Warsaw

Impacts of a low-emission zone on air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions in Warsaw

Particulate matter emissions from U.S. gasoline light-duty vehicles and trucks Particulate matter emissions from U.S. gasoline light-duty vehicles and trucks

Particulate matter emissions from U.S. gasoline light-duty vehicles and trucks

Assessment of real-world vehicle emissions in Scotland in 2021 Assessment of real-world vehicle emissions in Scotland in 2021

Assessment of real-world vehicle emissions in Scotland in 2021

Policy assessment using real-world emissions data from vehicles in Scottish cities Policy assessment using real-world emissions data from vehicles in Scottish cities

Policy assessment using real-world emissions data from vehicles in Scottish cities

Warsaw low-emission zone: The potential emissions benefits and impact on drivers Warsaw low-emission zone: The potential emissions benefits and impact on drivers

Warsaw low-emission zone: The potential emissions benefits and impact on drivers

Measurement of real-world motor vehicle emissions in Jakarta Measurement of real-world motor vehicle emissions in Jakarta

Measurement of real-world motor vehicle emissions in Jakarta

Air quality and health impacts of diesel truck emissions in New York City and policy implications Air quality and health impacts of diesel truck emissions in New York City and policy implications

Air quality and health impacts of diesel truck emissions in New York City and policy implications

Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Warsaw Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Warsaw

Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Warsaw

Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in Seoul Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in Seoul

Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in Seoul

The impact of a low emission zone in Sofia The impact of a low emission zone in Sofia

The impact of a low emission zone in Sofia

Annual Report 2021: Counting on Clean Air - A Call to Action Annual Report 2021: Counting on Clean Air - A Call to Action

Annual Report 2021: Counting on Clean Air - A Call to Action

Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Brussels Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Brussels

Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Brussels

Development and application of a US real-world vehicle emissions database Development and application of a US real-world vehicle emissions database

Development and application of a US real-world vehicle emissions database

Impacts of the Paris low-emission zone and implications for other cities Impacts of the Paris low-emission zone and implications for other cities

Impacts of the Paris low-emission zone and implications for other cities

Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in Paris Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in Paris

Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in Paris

TRUE Fact Sheets TRUE Fact Sheets

TRUE Fact Sheets

About TRUE booklet About TRUE booklet

About TRUE booklet

How can real-world vehicle emissions data help cities to become zero-emission: some evidence from Europe How can real-world vehicle emissions data help cities to become zero-emission: some evidence from Europe

How can real-world vehicle emissions data help cities to become zero-emission: some evidence from Europe

Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in London Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in London

Remote sensing of motor vehicle emissions in London

Use of remote-sensing technology for vehicle emissions monitoring and control Use of remote-sensing technology for vehicle emissions monitoring and control

Use of remote-sensing technology for vehicle emissions monitoring and control

The first TRUE city symposium The first TRUE city symposium

The first TRUE city symposium

Determination of real-world emissions from passenger vehicles using remote sensing data Determination of real-world emissions from passenger vehicles using remote sensing data

Determination of real-world emissions from passenger vehicles using remote sensing data

Explanation of the TRUE rating scheme Explanation of the TRUE rating scheme

Explanation of the TRUE rating scheme

Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary General's Special Envoy

"These new vehicle scorings will empower consumers to make informed choices that protect public health and the planet."

Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change