The road sector is one of the main sources of air emissions in the atmosphere during both construction and operation. The objective of the present paper is a comprehensive evaluation of the impact on air quality during the two main phases of life cycle of roads. In this case study of a motorway project, the emissions of the primary pollutants, CO, NOx, and PM10 are estimated, and the results showed that (i) CO and NOx pollutants released during both phases are comparable, while the emissions of PM10 are more significant in the construction phase; (ii) 85% of PM10 in construction is due to storage, transit on unpaved road, and crushing; (iii) the portals of the tunnel are the sites where there are higher concentrations of pollutants in operation; and (iv) the CO concentrations estimated by the dispersion model are strongly influenced by the topography.

Assessment of the Impact of CO, NOx and PM10 on Air Quality during Road Construction and Operation Phases

Giunta M
2020-01-01

Abstract

The road sector is one of the main sources of air emissions in the atmosphere during both construction and operation. The objective of the present paper is a comprehensive evaluation of the impact on air quality during the two main phases of life cycle of roads. In this case study of a motorway project, the emissions of the primary pollutants, CO, NOx, and PM10 are estimated, and the results showed that (i) CO and NOx pollutants released during both phases are comparable, while the emissions of PM10 are more significant in the construction phase; (ii) 85% of PM10 in construction is due to storage, transit on unpaved road, and crushing; (iii) the portals of the tunnel are the sites where there are higher concentrations of pollutants in operation; and (iv) the CO concentrations estimated by the dispersion model are strongly influenced by the topography.
2020
air pollution
road construction
road operation
sustainability
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Giunta_2020_Sustainability_Assessment_editoriale.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: editoriale_articolo principale
Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 4.09 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
4.09 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12318/76589
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 21
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 15
social impact