Title: Positive effects of a traffic control system on fuel consumption and exhaust emission on the German A9 autobahn

Authors: N. Metz, H. Schlichter, H. Schellenberg

Addresses: Department of Energy and Environment, BMW AG, 88788 Munich, Germany. ' Department of Traffic Research, BMW AG, 80788 Munich, Germany. ' Steierwald, Schonharting and Partners, Nordl. Munchnerstr. 30, 82031 Grunwald, Germany

Abstract: The influence of traffic control systems with respect to time, speed, quality of traffic flow and daily variation in the number of vehicles on the A9 autobahn between Munich|s Frankfurter Ring and the Holledau junction was analysed in both directions with and without motorway control, and the 1993 results compared with those for 1991. These data, obtained from a specially equipped measuring vehicle, were then combined with fuel consumption, CO, and fleet exhaust emission factors determined by the Rhineland Technical Inspection Authority (TUV). CO, HC, NOx and particulates in the exhaust gas were examined. The ultimate target is to obtain an analysis of the changes in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions for this particular section of motorway. The benefits gained from traffic control systems more than compensate for their construction and annual operating costs: in particular, the advantages include a drop in the number of accidents, reduced journey times, a reduction in stop-and-go traffic, higher average journey speeds on severely congestion-prone motorway sections and reduced emissions in the morning hours thanks to more freely flowing traffic. This permits an improvement in traffic flow and can help to cope more easily with the forecast increase in traffic volume.

Keywords: emissions reduction; fuel consumption; accident reductions; traffic control; traffic emissions; exhaust emissions Germany; autobahns; vehicle emissions; air pollution; traffic flow; traffic volume.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1997.062059

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1997 Vol.18 No.3/4, pp.354 - 367

Published online: 29 May 2014 *

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