01363305

Component

There is clear evidence of the adverse health impacts of traffic-related ultrafine particulate matter. As more commuters are spending a significant portion of their daily routine inside vehicles it is increasingly relevant to study exposure levels to harmful pollutants. This study is the first research effort to simultaneously link detailed traffic data, traffic video analysis, and in-vehicle ultrafine particulate (UFP) exposure data. The objective is to empirically test relationships between traffic characteristics and UFP exposure concentrations. We also study the impact of vehicle shell effects including windows, ventilation, and air conditioning on UFP levels. The results of statistical tests and analysis show that the vehicle shell is the most important factor for in-vehicle UFP exposure concentrations. Closing the external air intake vent is more than twice as effective as rolling up the windows alone – showing that there are steps individual travelers can take to reduce their exposure. Surprisingly, traffic variables have little significant impact on UFP exposure concentrations. Traffic density is the most significant traffic variable, suggesting that inter-vehicle spacing is more important than changing emissions rates in congestion. Finally, qualitative analysis suggests that heterogeneity in the vehicle fleet is the other major factor influencing variations in exposure concentrations. The results of this research have important implications for exposure modeling and potential exposure mitigation strategies.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADC20 Transportation and Air Quality

01362476

12-4375

English

20p

2012

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Air quality; Epidemiology; Health hazards; Particulates; Pollutants; Traffic characteristics; Vehicle occupants

Environment; Highways; I15: Environment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-4375

PRP, TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2012 5:23PM