Traffic performance-based air quality management

Abstract

Traffic is a major strain on air quality in cities, as most of the hazardous emissions in urban areas are caused by it. Road traffic causes such emissions as COz, NO,, NOz, HC and CO. Road traffic induces also particles, of which especially small particles are extremely hazardous to health. Accurate modelling of traffic and traffic-generated pollution is important in estimating the exposure caused to people. Being able to correctly model traffic and its emissions helps in finding different traffic control strategies that could be useful in improving the situation in extensive air quality management systems. Granberg et a1 [l] presented a combined application of traffic microsimulation and street canyon dispersion models, which was tested on a case study in Helsinki. The purpose of the study presented here is to continue on the same field and to introduce the traffic-based pollution and concentration model used in Helsinki area as well to investigate the connection between urban transport and air quality. The study will also handle the exposure of people to pollution, and shed light on its consequences. The current air quality measurement systems used in Helsinki area will be introduced. Finally, some traffic control measures and their effect on emissions will be tested and presented.