Study: Traditional Traffic Models Vastly Underestimate Emissions
Conventional methods of modeling emissions from cars can produce results as much as 60% lower than actual pollution levels, according to scientists at the U.K.'s Newcastle University.
#regulations
Conventional methods of modeling emissions from cars can produce results as much as 60% lower than actual pollution levels, according to scientists at the U.K.'s Newcastle University.
The researchers note that traditional models look only at overall average traffic speed. Such methodology ignores the effect of hills, nearby buildings and stop-start traffic patterns typical of congested roadways.
The new modeling technique calculates emissions according to individual vehicle type, speed, acceleration, weather conditions and local terrain. The technique is dubbed PITHEM, short for platform for integrated traffic, health and environmental modeling.
The team tested the model in nearby Durham, helping city planners there implement measures to improve traffic flow and reduce vehicular emissions. They report results in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Self-Driving Chevy Bolt Ticketed for Driving Too Close to Pedestrian
Police in San Francisco ticketed the backup driver in a self-driving Chevrolet Bolt for allowing the car to drive too close to a pedestrian in a crosswalk in San Francisco.
-
Carmakers Ask 10 States to Help Bolster EV Sales
Carmakers are asking for more support for electric cars from states that support California’s zero-emission-vehicle goals, Automotive News reports.
-
Toyota Targets 2021 Launch for V2V Tech in U.S.
Toyota Motor Corp. plans to expand its vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology to the U.S. by 2021 and offer it across most Toyota and Lexus models in the country by mid-decade.