Measurement Models for Carbon Dioxide Emission Factors of Passenger Cars Considering Characteristics of Roads and Traffic

Abstract

In order to effectively control carbon dioxide emissions of motorized vehicles, it is very important to measure their carbon dioxide emission factors. The objective of this paper was to develop measurement models for the carbon dioxide emission factors of passenger cars. Road systems of downtown areas of four typical Chinese counties were explored and 12 types of basic road networks were recognized and defined. With PTV Vissim, microscopic traffic simulation models were set up for every type of basic road network, average speeds of the simulated cars were collected, and carbon dioxide emissions were calculated using MOVES (Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator) software. For model development, the paper put forth two compound explanatory variables: the weighted average of segment lengths and the sum of critical ratios of volume to saturation flow rate. Six functional relationships for the variables were tested and the double exponential function was proven to be the most appropriate. Finally, for each of the 12 types of basic road networks, a measurement model for carbon dioxide emission factors was calibrated using the double exponential function for the variables. The measurement models can be used to estimate the carbon dioxide emissions of passenger cars concerning potential improvement schemes impacting traffic demand and/or traffic supply.