GSB 7.0 Standardlösung

Chemical Emissions and Their Environmental Impacts (Main topic 203)

Most pollutant emissions from traffic have a direct effect, while others, such as carbon dioxide, have long-term impacts, even on future generations. EU limits for ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxides, particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide and lead are sometimes exceeded, especially along high pollution roads in metropolitan areas. In regions with a dense transportation network, however, it is difficult to clearly assess every single transport mode’s contribution to the pollution of ambient air, water and soil.

With innovative engines, alternative fuels, new driving technologies and exhaust gas purifiers becoming increasingly widespread in road and rail transport and in maritime and inland shipping, pollution in the different environmental compartments is in constant change. User behaviour and the differing states of traffic flow are also subject to dynamic shifts. While advanced engine technologies help to lower the individual vehicles’ pollutant and carbon dioxide footprint, this reduction is offset by the rise in global transport volumes.

The picture shows the exhaust gases of a cargo vessel Exhaust gases of a cargo vessel Source: B. Mathieu-Üffing, University of Bremen

Likewise, the pollutant mixture of emissions and their environmental impacts is subject to changes due to new compositions of basic materials used in parts on and within vehicles of the different modes of transport (e.g. brake bodies, clutches) and in infrastructure components (rail tracks, contact wires, current collectors, road surface) with a high abrasion exposure.

The need to minimise the impacts of chemical pollutant loads caused by road, air and rail transport and by inland shipping for mankind and nature call for cross-modal approaches.

In the BMDV Network of Experts’ prior research phase (2016-2019) the scientists’ initial focus was to perform an analysis and a robust accounting of the relevant transport-related pollutant emissions in an integrated approach encompassing all modes of transport. They also examined ecotoxicological effects of pollution. Different simulations of emission and impact models were used to quantify and evaluate scenarios for three metropolitan areas with different characteristics. Building on these scenarios, the participating experts developed interdisciplinary approaches that reduce transport-related pollutant loads while also satisfying future needs regarding the mobility of people and goods.

During the ongoing research phase, work is being performed to expand the underlying database on pollutant emissions from transport. The scientists now determine insecurities about input parameters and global uncertainties around emission modelling and quantify the transport modes’ contribution to pollution loads. Furthermore, they design concepts and a set of measures aiming at the reduction of transport-related pollution.

Coordination

Cyrus Schmellekamp
Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt)
Schmellekamp@bast.de

Beteiligte Behörden:

  • BALM
  • BSH
  • BfG
  • BASt
  • BAW
  • DWD
  • DZSF/EBA