01556529

Component

Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern about health impacts of transportation. With an objective to support policies for fostering transport modes and systems which minimise the risk of exposure to pollutants, the paper examines a critical pollutant Particulate Matter (PM2.5) while using road-based transport modes. The study is conducted on a 10km stretch in the city of Ahmedabad, India using Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, city buses and other motorized and non-motorized modes. Variation in PM2.5 concentration levels for different mode-types and presence of air-conditioning (AC) was observed during various months covering the winter, summer and pre-monsoon season; location and time of day (peak and off-peak hours). The study gives a comparative overview of real time exposure to PM2.5 across nine modes. In-vehicle exposure in BRTS buses showed lowest PM2.5 concentration levels. Irrespective of season, location and time of day factors such as segregation, elevated height of exposure, and presence of air-conditioning favored lower exposure levels on BRTS buses. The mean concentration levels in all the modes was highest during winters (M=390μg/m³, SD=187) and lowest during the pre-monsoon period (M=115 μg/m³, SD=107). Lower PM2.5 levels on air-conditioned BRTS buses provides a basis to support policy decisions for expanding their share in the fleet. Exploring the variation in emission levels of AC and non-AC buses, which was not included in the scope of this study, will help in further strengthening the policy. The paper provides recommendation for promoting segregated public transport considering the health perspective of commuters.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AP050 Bus Transit Systems.

01550057

15-5617

English

15p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Maps; References; Tables

Air conditioning systems; Air pollution; Alternatives analysis; Bus rapid transit; Case studies; Commuters; Particulates; Periods of the day; Recommendations; Seasons; Transportation modes; Urban transportation

Ahmedabad (India)

Environment; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Public Transportation; I15: Environment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-5617

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 1:53PM