This project is no longer listed in the FindAPhD database
and may not be available.
Microscopic traffic simulations coupled with instantaneous emission models have the potential to provide improved assessments of the environmental impact of traffic networks, management strategies and technology implementations. Predictions of vehicle emissions (CO2, NOX, CO etc) using current ‘average-speed’ tools (e.g. www.NAEI.org.uk) do not adequately consider: local speed profiles/ driver behaviour or the benefits of smoothing traffic flow by environmental traffic management strategies e.g. green wave strategies and gating policies. Emerging instantaneous emission models are able to consider for any given speed profile, the influence of road gradient, vehicle loading, engine speed and gear selection on fuel consumption and emissions for Heavy- and Light-duty vehicles. Instantaneous emission models require speed trajectories (or profiles) as input, which can either be obtained from tracking systems (measured) or are an output from traffic micro-simulation models.
The Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) is collaborating with the Institute for internal combustion engines and thermodynamics, Technical University of Graz (TUG, Austria) and has developed, evaluated and applied a coupled traffic micro-simulator and instantaneous emission model (Zallinger, Tate et al, 2008 and 2009). Supported by detailed observations, there is now an opportunity to use these tools to provide improved environmental assessments of traffic networks and environmental management strategies using the best available/ internationally leading Scientific software tools. It is suggested the Headingley district in Leeds is used as demonstration site as a wealth of traffic flow, congestion, driver behaviour and environmental data is available for this area, to support the rigorous calibration and validation of the traffic micro-scopic simulations. There would be an opportunity to under-take a 3-month research placement at the TUG, Austria as part of this PhD project.
Funding Notes:
This project is not linked to any specific funding however, applicants may apply to study on this project in conjunction with a studentship application; be employer sponsored; hold an international scholarship or by other means (ie self funding)
How to apply: www.its.leeds.ac.uk/courses/phd/funding/
References:
REFERENCES:
http://www.smoothingtrafficflow.org.uk/
Zallinger, M., Tate, J., Hausberger, S. 2008. An Instantaneous Emission Model for the Passenger Car Fleet. Transport and Air Pollution Conference, ISBN 987-3-85125-016-9.
Zallinger, M., Tate, J., Hausberger, S. and Goodman, P. 2009. Evaluation of a coupled micro-scopic traffic simulator and instantaneous emission model. Air Quality Conference 2009, Istanbul, March 2009.