Reducing high levels of particles in tunnels

A new study from Sweden’s National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) which aims to improve understanding of the differences between inhalable particles in highway versus railway environments has indicated that older types of trains produce more particulate emissions in railroad tunnels than do newer ones. Dust binding, improved paving and reduced studded tyre use could reduce coarse particle levels in road tunnels.
March 1, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

A new study from Sweden’s National Road and Transport Research Institute (5230 VTI) which aims to improve understanding of the differences between inhalable particles in highway versus railway environments has indicated that older types of trains produce more particulate emissions in railroad tunnels than do newer ones. Dust binding, improved paving and reduced studded tyre use could reduce coarse particle levels in road tunnels.

The tests were carried out in Sweden at Arlanda Central station beneath Arlanda Airport and in the Söderleden road tunnel in central Stockholm. The results indicate that the environment of the studied railroad tunnel is characterised by peaks in coarse particle concentration. Some trains can be tied to emissions of ultrafine particles which consist mainly of iron, with lesser amounts of copper, zinc and other metals.

The main focus of measures to remedy high particle counts in railway tunnels has so far been on preventing exposure by separating trains from platforms or using ventilation to remove polluted air, but few studies have examined the means available to prevent the emissions themselves.

According to VTI researcher Mats Gustafsson, the study demonstrates that it is possible to reduce particulate emissions by identifying and improving train types as well as individual trains and their characteristics.

Road tunnels are characterised by high levels of ultrafine particles and high levels of coarse particles when conditions are dry. Because the traffic in such tunnels is more intense than in railroad tunnels, the particle levels are more consistently high during rush hours.

“The options available to combat coarse particles in road tunnels comprise reduced studded tyre use, better paving, and efficient dust binding and cleaning”, said Gustafsson.

The ultrafine particles that occur in high concentrations derive from vehicle exhaust and can be addressed by reducing traffic volumes, improving exhaust treatment, and lowering the proportion of heavy traffic, he says.

Air Quality & Weather Systems

For more information on companies in this article

VTI

Related Content

  • Jenoptik supplies sophisticated multi-section control project
    November 17, 2014
    Efficient speed enforcement in the most highly frequented tunnel in Austria on the A7 near Linz. The Bindermichl-Niedernhart tunnel complex on Austrian highway A7 connects the major east/west A1 route from Vienna/ Bratislava to Munich/Salzburg with the A7/ E55 running south from Prague in the Czech Republic. This happens right in the middle of the city of Linz, Austria.
    Read More
  • Dynamic charging boosts electric vehicles’ potential
    December 16, 2014
    With an increasing need to use electric vehicles in city centres to reduce pollution, David Crawford looks at various solutions to power delivery. The UN’s September 2014 Climate Summit has added fresh momentum to the drive to increase urban electric vehicle (EV) takeup. It has launched the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative, which wants to see EVs accounting for 30% of all urban travel by 2030, and make cities worldwide more friendly to their use. Encouragingly, the plan is being well supported by commerci
    Read More
  • Data goldmines offer rich pickings
    May 31, 2013
    Astronomical is not too grand a term to describe the current rate of growth in transportation-related data. Massive amounts of traffic related information, such as speed, volume, incidents and weather are being generated every second by road operators and users alike. Big data’ derives its name from the sheer amount and complexity of available raw data. Its potential value is starting to emerge among the intelligent transportation systems community. A gold rush is taking place to capture this value, with da
    Read More
  • Keeping people on track is RATP’s raison d’etre
    June 14, 2018
    In Paris, RATP Group’s autonomous Metro Line 1 is carrying 750,000 people a day across the city. Ben Spencer is invited into the control room to take a look at how the system works Paris is visited by millions of tourists each year, keen to see for themselves stunning attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Seine and all the rest. But while the best-known sites of the City of Light tend to be on the surface, there is a lot going on below those iconic grand boule
    Read More

Highlighted Content