TRB Pubsindex
Text Size:
x

« Prev Next »

Return to Results | New Search

Bookmark and Share

Title:

Real-Time Monitoring of Dust Generation from Driving Surface Aggregate in Pennsylvania

Accession Number:

01662984

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

Dust generation from vehicular travel on unpaved roads poses problems to environmental quality and human health. Studies on vehicle generated dust are well documented in the southwestern United States, but data are lacking in eastern temperate regions where unpaved roads are common in rural areas. This study took place in central Pennsylvania, with the primary research objective to compare relative dust production from Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA) developed by the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies at Penn State University (Center) to another commonly used road surface aggregate, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2A specification (2A). Dust monitoring was conducted using a real-time, vehicle-mounted particulate monitoring system. Sampling of both PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ took place behind the vehicle at approximately 1 meter above the road surface. The data show that all DSA road sections significantly outperformed the 2A road section in suppressing vehicle generated dust. Notably, the oldest DSA placed in 2012 still produced on average 50 percent less dust than the 2A section. During the study, time since rain and canopy cover were found to be important variables in dust generation. Road sections with lower surface temperatures due to shading were found to produce less dust than road section in full sun and this correlation was significant. Although the role of canopy cover on dust production has not been fully explored, this study showed that using DSA in combination with canopy cover provided significant reductions in vehicle generated dust from unpaved roads.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFB30 Standing Committee on Low-Volume Roads.

Report/Paper Numbers:

18-03024

Language:

English

Authors:

Chase, Eric H
Heness, Elizabeth A

Pagination:

13p

Publication Date:

2018

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Geographic Terms:

Pennsylvania

Subject Areas:

Environment; Highways

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-03024

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Jan 8 2018 10:43AM