Characterization of non-exhaust emissions from heavy duty vehicles through field measurements on individual vehicles

Non-exhaust emissions (NEE) from road traffic, consisting of wear particles from tyres, brakes, road surfaces and resuspension of road dust, contribute significantly to city air pollution and causes health concerns, today surpassing exhaust emissions of particulate matter in developed countries.

This pollution will not decrease with more electric vehicles; in fact, it tends to increase due to increased vehicle demand and vehicle weight.

Several knowledge gaps persist regarding NEE emissions, particularly concerning heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), hindering regulatory efforts.

These include disparities in research and data availability, challenges in quantifying emissions in real-world scenarios, inadequate consideration of driving patterns and vehicle characteristics, and insufficient attention to the impact of vehicle weight on tyre, road and brake wear rates. This project aims to estimate HDV NEE using a roadside measurement method developed for light-duty vehicles (LDVs).

We will conduct extensive field measurements on individual vehicles, considering factors like the impact of weight and driving behavior on the emissions.

The project holds potential societal benefits: improving city air quality models, contributing to HDV emission regulations, driving innovation in truck design, and ultimately reducing harmful particulate matter in the air, thus promoting better health and well-being through improved air quality.