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Optimised expert system for conducting environmental assessment of urban road traffic

Exploitable results

The following models have been developed or improved and have been included in the OSCAR assessment system: Emission models (simple and comprehensive) Emission pre-processor Met pre-processor PEARL model CAR International Model CAR-FMI model Empirical model OSPM Visualisation tools Statistical tools database
There is an extensive network of air quality monitoring stations in Madrid but data from the following stations has been used for OSCAR project. The Madrid air quality-monitoring network follows the EU Directives for the location of air pollution stations in respect of the distance to the traffic and roads. Additional meteorological and traffic data is also available from these air quality sites as shown below. Madrid City has also a meteorological monitoring network, which is managed by several organisations such as: -Madrid Community, -SICE, Madrid City, -Spanish Meteorological Institute -CIEMAT. This network is formed by classical meteorological stations with measurement of meteorological variables at 3.5 m in height such as: 1)wind speed, 2)wind direction, 3)temperature (aspirated), 4)dew point, 5)atmospheric pressure, 6)solar radiation, 7)cloud cover 8)precipitation. Not all stations are measuring all these meteorological variables. In addition to this, Madrid City has also a SODAR/RASS system, which measures the vertical meteorological variables such as horizontal wind speed components and temperature at different vertical spatial resolution and with a high temporal resolution. The Madrid Community meteorological stations provide measurements at 2.5 m in height. The meteorological information has been used in OSCAR in the modelling exercises for different historical periods of time in the past. In addition to this measured the modelled information has also been used. The different monitoring devices have different data acquisition time intervals depending on the technique used for measurement. All the meteorological instruments for wind speed and wind direction are low response instrumentation. UPM under various European Projects in DGXII in the 4th FP has performed several campaigns a few years ago with fast response instrumentation. Deposition velocities of several pollutants (O3, NOx, SO2, NH3) have been measured with laboratory fast response techniques in real time. In addition a GILL sonic anemometer was also set up to measure several turbulent parameters such as friction velocity, u*, scale temperature, and L, Monin-Obukhov Length, in addition to the turbulent fluxes such as sensible and latent heat fluxes. The monitored meteorological data is collected using a classical protocol provided by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to assure the quality of the gathered data. The data stored after passing the WMO QA/QC protocol is used in OSCAR. The data is officially available from the different Institutions mentioned above. The spatial and temporal representative ness of the data follows the recommendations of the WMO for urban meteorological stations. The data from three stations from the network of air quality monitoring stations in Madrid has been included for the analysis. These three stations are: Casa de Campo (urban background), Plaza de España (open road) and Luca de Tena (street canyon). At the roadside sites the annual concentrations of PM and CO have decreased from 2003 to 2004 and it is suggested that this decrease is partly due to stricter implementation of the legislation. The PM10 concentrations at the open road and background sites are comparable in fact these are higher at background site for 2004. This indicates the influence of sources of PM10 other than traffic such as construction or resuspension at the background site. The monthly variations show that generally CO and NOX concentrations are higher in colder months and PM10 concentrations are higher in warmer months. The increase in CO and NOX concentrations during colder months can be attributed partly to increased emissions and partly to poor dispersion. The increase in PM10 during warmer months can be associated with enhanced re- suspension. The average daily traffic flows at Luca de Tena and Plaza de España are 30480 and 22362 respectively. This increase is reflected in ~50 higher NOX and ~26% and ~46% increase in PM10 concentration for 2003 and 2004 respectively. Both sites show a reasonably clear diurnal pattern in traffic flows. The traffic starts to pick up, sharply from 6 am till 9 am and then remains similarly high till 9 pm. There are some dips in the middle of this high period that can be associated with closure of many businesses (shops) during hot afternoon hours. The hourly variation in PM10 and NO at both roadside sites show a diurnal pattern a sharper peak at morning rush hours (9-11 am) and a smaller peak in the evening (9-10 pm), which reasonably coincides with the hourly traffic pattern. The exceedances statistics shows a particular problem with NO2 standards as the annual limit value has exceeded at both the roadside sites for both the years in Madrid. The results also indicate that the limit value for PM10 may be exceeded at the street canyon sites under poor meteorological conditions.
High temporal resolution data has been collated from sites in London. The specific details are given below: Site types included in data collation – Street Canyon, open roadside and urban background and meteorological data from met sites. Temporal resolution of the collated data – hourly Data collated: Air quality data - PM10, PM2.5, NOx, CO, O3, SO2, exceedance data Meteorological data – wind speed and direction, temperature, pressure, RH, precipitation, radiation Traffic data – counts, speeds, classification The collated data has been used to identify gaps in the data required for OSCAR system and can be used for model evaluation.
Presentation, comparison and analysis of the results of the measurements undertaken in four European cities, Athens, Helsinki, London and Madrid. The datasets provide an understanding of the factors underlying the observed levels of emissions and air quality and are also used to evaluate the suite of models that make the part of the OSCAR System.
A user friendly GUI was developed for the OSCAR System . The interface was menu driven with help facilities. A platform using modular architecture for integrating the different components was designed and constructed. The System contained air quality models, emissions model, meteorological and emissions preprocessors, statistical and visualisation tools and a comprehensive database. The modular design of the system will help in the inclusion of future models and methodologies.
Scenario analysis module has been developed for the OSCAR System. It is capable of predicting the future status of various emission parameters related to road traffic important to End Users and stakeholders in the urban areas of Europe. It will also assess the impact of various policy options related to traffic planning and management and will help to identify possible control options.
To provide accurate answers it was deemed necessary to improve the models that make part of OSCAR System by incorporating a better description of emissions during interrupted traffic flow conditions typical to urban areas. The performance of these models have then been tested in a variety of situations.
The protocols were developed to undertake measurements of air pollutants, meteorological parameters and traffic flows. The measurement campaigns were carried out to produce comprehensive datasets. Several aspects were considered including type and nature of measurements, measurement locations, calibration methods and QA/QC procedures employed for the data at the selected measurement sites. The purpose of these protocols was to generate the data from the participant EU cities that is comparable and consistent as far as possible.
Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques have been employed by NCSRD to better describe how the local air flow patterns are modified by free flowing and congestion traffic in street situations. This work has led to high temporal and spatial resolution street level air quality predictions
A project site has been established that has a comprehensive interactive web based Managed User Environment. The site contains all the deliverables that are disseminated at the Public Level. The site will be mentained for aditional twelve months after the project life
Presentation and analyses information from four main OSCAR cities, Athens, Helsinki, London and Madrid on various aspects of personal travel and traffic congestion. This information has come from some recent surveys on these issues conducted by a variety of organisations that include local authorities, academic and research institutions, government bodies and consultancies.
The OSCAR System has been refined according to user feedback for assessing the impact of road traffic on emissions and air quality. Improvements have been made to the interfaces, linking between modules and accessibility of tyhe database. The System has been applied for the particpant cities and has produced results which are comparable with the measurements.
Hourly data on traffic, air quality and meteorological parameters has been measured at three sites from Athens city. Data can be used for air quality assessment and management and also for model validation and inter city comparison. The data has been uploaded on the OSCAR database
Measurement of high resolution air quality, meteorology and traffic data in London from existing networks and additional measurements for OSCAR Temporal resolution of data - hourly. Air quality sites - Marylebone Road (street canyon), Cromwell Road (open road), North Kensington (urban background) Meteorology sites - Marylebone Road, Cromwell Road (2 sites), London Heathrow, London Weather Centre Traffic sites - Marylebone Road, Cromwell Road Air quality measurements - PM10, PM2.5, NOx, CO, O3, SO2, exceedance data Meteorological measurements - wind speed and direction, temperature, pressure, RH, precipitation, radiation Traffic measurements - counts, speeds, classification Potential use and application of the data: 1) The has been analysed for spatial and temporal trends and in terms of meteorology and traffic flows 2) Model evaluation 3) Comparison of EU urban areas in terms of air quality, meteorology and traffic flows 4) Improvement in air quality and quality of life 5) pollution mitigation strategies 6) Feed into EU directives on air quality 7) Setting up air quality standards 8) Economic competitiveness by saving time from congested journeys
In 2001 in Madrid, the yearly average limit value of 40 μg/m3 have been exceeded at all 25 stations, except at one urban background station called Casa de Campo. The highest levels were observed at the stations of Paseo de Recoletos and Pl. Luca de Tena. These stations are classified as traffic stations in urban commercial-residential areas with high level of traffic. Stations of Paseo de Recoletos and Plaza Luca de Tena are located to a distance of 10 meters from the nearest road. On the other hand, the hourly air quality remained below the new EU hourly limit value, as well as, the national hourly air quality objective at all stations in 2001. The highest concentrations were at the level of 190 μg/m3 and they were observed at the station of Paseo de Recoletos and Pl. M. Salamanca. The latter station is classified, as a traffic station with high level of traffic nearby due to it is located to a distance of only one meter from the nearest road and 6 meters of distance to the nearest building. On the other hand, the hourly air quality remained below the new EU hourly limit value, as well as, the national hourly air quality objective at all stations in 2001. The highest concentrations were at the level of 190 μg/m3 and they were observed at the station of Paseo de Recoletos and Pl. M. Salamanca. O3 levels in Madrid have been under the limits specified by EU Directives For PM10, the new EU limit value for annual mean values would have been exceeded at 22 of the 25 stations in 2002. The new EU limit value for daily PM10 concentrations would also have exceeded at most of the stations in Madrid in 2002. In 2001, there were observed no exceedences of national guidelines in Madrid. In 2001, the highest annual mean concentrations were observed at the stations of P. Recoletos, Marañon, and Villaverde, in which the concentrations were 42, 44, and 45 μg/m3, respectively. These stations are classified as traffic stations located in commercial-residential areas with high levels of traffic. Stations of Paseo de Recoletos, Marañon and Villaverde are located to a distance of 10, 6 and 4 meters from the nearest road respectively.
High temporal resolution data has been collated from sites in Helsinki Metropolitan Area. The specific details are given below: Site types included in data collation – Street Canyon, open roadside and urban background and meteorological data from met sites. Temporal resolution of the collated data – hourly Data collated: Air quality data - PM10, PM2.5, NOx, CO, O3, SO2, exceedance data Meteorological data – wind speed and direction, temperature, pressure, RH, precipitation, radiation Traffic data – counts, speeds, classification The collated data has been used to identify gaps in the data required for OSCAR system and can be used for model evaluation
Measurement of high-resolution air quality, meteorology and traffic data in Helsinki from existing networks and additional measurements for OSCAR. Temporal resolution of data: hourly. Air quality sites: Kaisaniemi, Kallio 2 (urban background), Luukki (regional background), Runeberg street (street canyon), Vallila (open road). Meteorology sites: Helsinki-Isosaari, Helsinki-Vantaa, Kaisaniemi. Traffic sites: Runeberg street, Aleksis Kiven katu-Sturenkatu, Hämeentien silta, Mäkelänkatu. Air quality measurements: PM10, PM2.5, O3, NOx, NO2, NO, SO2. Meteorological measurements: wind speed and direction, temperature, pressure, RH, precipitation, radiation, cloudiness. Traffic measurements: counts, speeds, classification. Potential use and application of the data: 1) The data has been analysed for spatial and temporal trends and in terms of meteorology and traffic flows 2) Model evaluation 3) Comparison of EU urban areas in terms of air quality, meteorology and traffic flows 4) Improvement in air quality and quality of life 5) pollution mitigation strategies 6) Feed into EU directives on air quality 7) Setting up air quality standards 8) Economic competitiveness by saving time from congested journeys.

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