Geographic Information System Framework for Modeling Mobile-Source Emissions

Abstract

Because vehicle activities and the emissions associated with them can be correlated with specific points in time and space, the modeling capabilities of a geographic information system (GIS) are well suited to the modeling of mobile-source emissions. A GIS-based modeling approach can provide emissions estimates for both on-network and off-network vehicle activities on a modal basis (as a function of various vehicle operating modes that significantly affect vehicle emission rates). An entire metropolitan region can be modeled on a zone, link, and point basis. Vehicle subfleet composition can be tracked or estimated and combined with estimates of vehicle activity and characteristic operating modes to provide emissions estimates in a spatial and temporal context. Emissions from various modal activities are aggregated into grid cells to be used as input to an airshed model. Identifying spatial and temporal distributions of these activities adds to a greater understanding of emissions impacts. A research proto...