Stochastic analysis for vehicular emissions on urban roads : a case study of Chennai

The increase in the number of vehicles on roads has resulted in a deterioration of environmental quality in urban areas in many developing countries. Concentrations of carbon monoxide and suspended particulate matter pose a significant public health hazard. This paper presents the results of a study on emissions in Chennai city from different vehicular modes in order to predict the concentration of carbon monoxide in the ambient atmosphere. Emission characteristics of different types of vehicles were collected from pollutant emission checking stations while exhaust emissions from the different types of vehicles were collected during idling conditions and were then analysed. Vehicles were categorized as: heavy duty vehicles, pre 1984 petrol cars, post 1984 petrol cars, four stroke two wheelers, two stroke two wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and diesel cars. The study results are useful to predict the level of carbon monoxide emissions from vehicular traffic on the urban roads of Chennai city. 3 figs., 3 tabs., 4 refs