What if EMEP/EEA and Corinair methods underestimate road pollutants?

What is it about?

Pollutant emissions are to be limited soon, so we need to check if the tools we are using are accurate or not. Official prediction models in Europe for road transport are static, i.e. consider average speed. However, real speed generally changes frequently on a road section. Different assumptions might affect evaluations. This study tests such models by analysing the operations of a car engine during drive simulation tests reproducing real scenarios. Evidence suggests that such models might underestimate the release of pollutants in some circumstances. As a case study, an Italian highway is simulated before and after major renovation works. Data also yield concern about the environmental impacts possibly related to this operation.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Pollution keeps increasing to unbearable levels in many parts of the world, also affecting climate change. Namely for challenging the latter, Paris Agreement has been recently signed by 170 countries. Effective actions are therefore expected in the close future to significantly and strategically limit pollutant emissions. Reliable tools are needed for making the right choice. Targeting road transport is important since it represents a major source of pollution in many countries.