A Multidimensional Assessment of Urban Airborne Pollutants: A Case Study of a Major Traffic Artery
Vehicular transport constitutes a substantial source of atmospheric pollutants. The available national air monitoring systems are based on point stations, and the obtained results are averaged, which results in low accuracy and reduced representativeness.. This dissertation introduces a novel, data-driven approach to air pollution monitoring in Poland, employing mobile measurement technology concentrations of selected traffic-related pollutants along a key urban thoroughfare. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to distil the dataset, enabling the extraction of latent structures and the identification of the most influential environmental variables. The analysis revealed that geographic coordinates, elevation, and lateral distance from the roadway are primary determinants of pollutant intensity. Notably, the study established strong correlations between PM concentration levels and both height above the emission source and horizontal distance from it. Furthermore, clear seasonal fluctuations were observed. The insights generated through this research offer valuable guidance for future modifications and adaptive strategies in road infrastructure development.
Topic: Exhaust emissions and aftertreatment
Author: Agata Jaroń
Co-authors: Anna Borucka
