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Air pollution measurements in traffic tunnels
R De Fré1, P Bruynseraede, J G Kretzschmar
1Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek, Mol, Belgium.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Air pollution in the Craeybeckx highway tunnel was measured in 1991. Traffic emissions were calculated using the carbon balance method, showing higher carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions than CORINAIR models.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Transportation Engineering
Background:
- Air pollution from highway tunnels is a significant environmental concern.
- Understanding vehicle emission profiles is crucial for urban air quality management.
- The Craeybeckx highway tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium, experiences substantial daily traffic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and report air pollution concentrations in the Craeybeckx highway tunnel.
- To calculate traffic emission factors using the carbon balance method.
- To compare tunnel-derived emissions with existing inventory data and models.
Main Methods:
- Continuous air pollution monitoring within the highway tunnel.
- Application of the carbon balance method to determine emission factors per kilogram of carbon.
- Analysis of sulfur-to-carbon ratios to estimate diesel fuel fraction.
- Categorization of emission factors by vehicle type for countrywide estimation.
Main Results:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions showed excellent agreement with CORINAIR.
- Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions were higher than CORINAIR predictions but lower than EIVR statistics.
- Estimated lead emissions from traffic accounted for 22-29% of lead in gasoline.
Conclusions:
- The carbon balance method provides a robust approach for estimating tunnel traffic emissions.
- Tunnel emission data can refine countrywide emission inventories.
- Vehicle emission profiles vary between different modeling approaches and real-world measurements.