On-road remote sensing of vehicles in Dublin: Measurement and emission factor estimation

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Vol. 117; p. 103620
• Main Authors: Mahesh, Srinath, McNabola, Aonghus, Smith, William, Timoney, David, Ekhtiari, Ali, Fowler, Ben, Willis, Paul, Rose, Rebecca, Wareham, Jasmine, Walker, Hannah, Ghosh, Bidisha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Emission factors; Euro-6 regulation; On-road vehicle emissions; Remote sensing; Vehicle type; Emission factors; Vehicle type; On-road vehicle emissions; Euro-6 regulation; Remote sensing
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2023.103620

Emissions from real-world driving are often higher than estimated emission levels based on Euro emissions standards and type-approval tests. Consequently, the air quality in cities has not improved as originally anticipated from fleet renewal and stringent emission regulations for newer vehicles. This paper presents the real-world emission factors (EFs) for in-use cars, taxis, vans, and buses obtained using on-road remote sensing in Dublin city, Ireland. EFs from both petrol and diesel Euro 6 vehicles were significantly improved compared to the EFs of older emission standard vehicles. The analyses indicated that the presence of a few high emitting older vehicles skewed the overall distribution of EFs. Detailed description of variations in EFs for individual pollutants based on changes in emission standards, location, and other driving characteristics were studied and reported, which provide justification for implementing policies targeting fleet renewal. •First study to report real-world emission factors for in-use vehicles in Ireland.•This study considers cars, taxis, vans, and buses of varying makes and models.•Decreasing trends of NO EFs for all diesel vehicles with higher Euro standards.•Strong temperature dependence of NOx emissions for Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel cars.•Remote sensing measurements can be used to inform vehicle emission control policies.