The effects of deterioration and technological levels on pollutant emission factors for gasoline light-duty trucks

J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2017 Jul;67(7):814-823. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2017.1301275. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

Abstract

Vehicle deterioration and technological change influence emission factors (EFs). In this study, the impacts of vehicle deterioration and emission standards on EFs of regulated pollutants (carbon monoxide [CO], hydrocarbon [HC], and nitrogen oxides [NOx]) for gasoline light-duty trucks (LDTs) were investigated according to the inspection and maintenance (I/M) data using a chassis dynamometer method. Pollutant EFs for LDTs markedly varied with accumulated mileages and emission standards, and the trends of EFs are associated with accumulated mileages. In addition, the study also found that in most cases, the median EFs of CO, HC, and NOx are higher than those of basic EFs in the International Vehicle Emissions (IVE) model; therefore, the present study provides correction factors for the IVE model relative to the corresponding emission standards and mileages.

Implications: Currently, vehicle emissions are great contributors to air pollution in cities, especially in developing countries. Emission factors play a key role in creating emission inventory and estimating emissions. Deterioration represented by vehicle age and accumulated mileage and changes of emission standards markedly influence emission factors. In addition, the results provide collection factors for implication in the IVE model in the region levels.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Air Pollution / analysis*
  • Carbon Monoxide / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Gasoline
  • Hydrocarbons / analysis
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Motor Vehicles*
  • Nitrogen Oxides / analysis
  • Vehicle Emissions / analysis*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Gasoline
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Vehicle Emissions
  • Carbon Monoxide