Evaluation Of The Impact Of Pavement Roughness On Carbon Dioxide Originating From Vehicles

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Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2012

Type of Work

Department

Transportation

Program

Master of Science

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This item is made available by Morgan State University for personal, educational, and research purposes in accordance with Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Other uses may require permission from the copyright owner.

Abstract

Several gases originating from the land transportation mode are considered as greenhouse gases (GHG) and therefore are among elements that contribute to global warming. Both the amount and the type of gas emitted depend on factors such as vehicle type, engine size, ambient temperature, congestion, traffic flow, vehicle age, fuel type, frequent deceleration and acceleration, travelled distance and vehicle speed. Among all the types of GHG, carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) will be the main focus in this study as it is the most widespread GHG produced by automobiles according to the Environmental Protection Agency. On the other hand, the pavement condition, in terms of its roughness, could be one factor affecting vehicle speeds. With pavement roughness affecting vehicle speeds and speed affecting GHG emissions, one may suggest that the roadway pavement roughness may indirectly affect CO<SUB>2</SUB> emission rates. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between CO<SUB>2</SUB> emissions and the pavement roughness. The pavement roughness measurement used in this study is the International Roughness Index (IRI). IRI data were obtained from the Maryland State Highway Administration. Speed data were collected on selected roads in Baltimore County (Maryland). CO<SUB>2</SUB> emissions quantities were computed using MOVES2010a, a vehicle emission modeling software program. There are two steps involved in determining the relationship between IRI and CO<SUB>2</SUB> emissions: (1) verifying that IRI numbers have an impact on vehicle speeds and (2) verifying that vehicle speeds have an impact on CO<SUB>2</SUB> emissions. The results from the analysis indicate a slight increase in the mean speed value from roads in poor condition to roads in either fair or good condition and therefore a decrease in CO<SUB>2</SUB> emissions. The findings of this research could help agencies to properly allocate roadway maintenance funds in the intention of reducing the environmental impacts associated with pavement roughness.