Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP but the revision was not accepted.
Air pollution near arterial roads: An experimental and modelling study
José Ignacio Huertas Cardozoand Daniel Fernando Prato Sánchez
Abstract. Aiming to advance in the understanding of pollutant dispersion near arterial roads, we measured, simultaneously, meteorological parameters, emission mass rates and TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at several locations downwind two roads, located on a flat region without any other source of pollutants. We also implemented on a state of the art commercial CFD software, an air quality model to simulate the dispersion of solid and gas-phase pollutants emitted from arterial roads. Numerical results of long-term averages and daily measurements of particle concentration showed high correlation with experimental measurements (R2 > 0.76).
We found that the plots of pollutants concentration vs distance to the road edge describe a unique curve when expressed in terms of non-dimensional numbers and that this curve is well described by a beta function. Profiles of vertical concentration sketch an exponential function at the road edge, an S shape downwind and a flat shape far from the road. Particles exhibit a Rosin Rambler size distribution with average diameter of ~ 7 μm. This distribution remains unaltered downwind from the road, which implies that at any location, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations are a constant fraction of TPS concentration. Experimental data confirmed this observation.
Previous results can be used to determine the size of the area impacted by roads, identify mitigating and adaptive countermeasures, and to improve the accuracy of vehicular emission factors.
Received: 12 Aug 2017 – Discussion started: 30 Aug 2017
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Near roads pollution is a concern for the environmental authorities around the world. A methodology has been implemented in a numerical model simulation to predict the concentration levels downwind the road, study the pollutant dispersion phenomena and quantify the impacted area. It was found that pollutant dispersion can be described by a beta function. This model is useful to identify mitigating and adaptive countermeasures and to improve the accuracy of vehicular emission factors.
Near roads pollution is a concern for the environmental authorities around the world. A...
- Printer-friendly version
- Supplement