Title: Modelling street canyon pollution: model requirements and expectations

Authors: R. Berkowicz

Addresses: National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Atmospheric Environment, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark

Abstract: Dispersion of pollution from traffic in urban street canyons is governed by a complex wind flow structure, which hardly can be described by traditional Gaussian models. On the other hand, some simple rules can be used to provide rough estimates of pollution levels, especially considering the worst-case conditions. The model requirements will thus also depend on the particular application and the expectations attached to the information provided by the model. Models based on a very simple description of dispersion processes, but focusing more on parameterisation of traffic emissions, are useful tools for traffic planners. More detailed studies of traffic pollution behaviour in street canyons require models that can relate the actual pollution concentrations to the actual meteorological conditions.

Keywords: traffic emissions; dispersion models; street pollution; street canyons; air pollution; wind flow; vehicle emissions; environmental pollution; modelling; traffic pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1997.028212

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1997 Vol.8 No.3/4/5/6, pp.609 - 619

Published online: 15 Sep 2009 *

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