Saroj Kanta Behera , Ashutosh Kumar , Abhisek Mudgal
{"title":"Extreme particulate matter exposure at traffic intersections in a densely populated city","authors":"Saroj Kanta Behera , Ashutosh Kumar , Abhisek Mudgal","doi":"10.1016/j.trd.2024.104416","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Commuters are exposed to significantly high pollution levels at traffic intersections. This study utilized the generalized Pareto distribution to model commuters’ exposure to extreme particulate matter (PM) levels across 36 traffic intersections in Varanasi, India. A Bayesian hierarchical framework was deployed to account for the seasonal variation. The monthly return levels for extreme PM<sub>2.5</sub> (PM<sub>10</sub>) were 589 (1127), 474 (961), and 429 (902) µg/m<sup>3</sup> during winter, spring, and summer, respectively. The extreme PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations exceeded the NAAQS severe category for all three seasons. There is a 0.72 % (1.47 %) chance that during winter, PM<sub>2.5</sub> (PM<sub>10</sub>) levels would exceed that of the Delhi smog event (PM<sub>2.5</sub>: 585 µg/m<sup>3</sup>, PM<sub>10</sub>: 989 µg/m<sup>3</sup>). These findings raise concerns about public health and the environment, particularly in winter. The results would guide policymakers in enforcing stringent measures to reduce extreme exposures at traffic intersections in densely populated cities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":23277,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part D-transport and Environment","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104416"},"PeriodicalIF":7.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Transportation Research Part D-transport and Environment","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1361920924003730","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Commuters are exposed to significantly high pollution levels at traffic intersections. This study utilized the generalized Pareto distribution to model commuters’ exposure to extreme particulate matter (PM) levels across 36 traffic intersections in Varanasi, India. A Bayesian hierarchical framework was deployed to account for the seasonal variation. The monthly return levels for extreme PM2.5 (PM10) were 589 (1127), 474 (961), and 429 (902) µg/m3 during winter, spring, and summer, respectively. The extreme PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations exceeded the NAAQS severe category for all three seasons. There is a 0.72 % (1.47 %) chance that during winter, PM2.5 (PM10) levels would exceed that of the Delhi smog event (PM2.5: 585 µg/m3, PM10: 989 µg/m3). These findings raise concerns about public health and the environment, particularly in winter. The results would guide policymakers in enforcing stringent measures to reduce extreme exposures at traffic intersections in densely populated cities.
期刊介绍:
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment focuses on original research exploring the environmental impacts of transportation, policy responses to these impacts, and their implications for transportation system design, planning, and management. The journal comprehensively covers the interaction between transportation and the environment, ranging from local effects on specific geographical areas to global implications such as natural resource depletion and atmospheric pollution.
We welcome research papers across all transportation modes, including maritime, air, and land transportation, assessing their environmental impacts broadly. Papers addressing both mobile aspects and transportation infrastructure are considered. The journal prioritizes empirical findings and policy responses of regulatory, planning, technical, or fiscal nature. Articles are policy-driven, accessible, and applicable to readers from diverse disciplines, emphasizing relevance and practicality. We encourage interdisciplinary submissions and welcome contributions from economically developing and advanced countries alike, reflecting our international orientation.