Abstract |
The experimental study was undertaken to: Ascertain the current air quality in the immediate vicinity of various urban roadway configurations; Determine how the selected urban roadway configurations aid or hinder the diffusion of the pollutants emitted by urban traffic; and Develop mathematical relationships between traffic, traffic speed, pollutant concentration, meteorological parameters and roadway configuration. It is possible for urban and transportation planners to compute in advance the pollution anticipated for a proposed roadway design in order to insure that dwellings adjacent to the proposed design will not be exposed to pollutant concentrations in excess of the National Air Quality Standards. Ten urban roadway configurations were evaluated: Covered on top-open at side; Long tunnel (ventilated; Shallow cut; Short tunnel (unventilated); Deep cut; Grade road; Cantilever cover; Viaduct; City street; and Intermittent span. All of the testing locations were in New York City. |