Geospatial Variation of Real-World Tailpipe Emission Rates for Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles

Spatial variability in real-world on-road tailpipe light-duty gasoline vehicle nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide emission rates, the locations of emissions hotspots, and factors that explain spatial variability are quantified. A sample of 205 vehicles were measured on four predefined round-trip study routes using Portable Emission Measurement Systems. The trips on each route were divided into segments, averaging 1/4 mile in length. Segment-average emission rates were estimated based on measured 1 Hz emission rates. Emission hotspots are defined as segments with ≥90th percentile of segment-average emission rates. The hotspots have average emission rates 2-4 times greater, depending on the pollutant, than other segments. Hotspots are of heterogeneous characteristics including road attributes and vehicle activity metrics. For example, some hotspots were on arterial roads with an upstream signalized intersection and positive road grade, whereas some hotspots were on interstates with positive grade. Vehicle activity metrics, including average vehicle specific power and relative positive acceleration, help identify the hotspots. To reliably identify a fleet-average hotspot, data are needed for at least 36-130 vehicles, depending on the pollutant.