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In-vehicle Measurement of Ultrafine Particles on Compressed Natural Gas, Conventional Diesel, and Oxidation-catalyst Diesel Heavy-duty Transit Buses

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 125, pages 239–246 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Many metropolitan transit authorities are considering upgrading transit bus fleets to decrease ambient criteria pollutant levels. Advancements in engine and fuel technology have lead to a generation of lower-emission buses in a variety of fuel types. Dynamometer tests show substantial reductions in particulate mass emissions for younger buses (<10 years) over older models, but particle number reduction has not been verified in the research. Recent studies suggest that particle number is a more important factor than particle mass in determining health effects. In-vehicle particle number concentration measurements on conventional diesel, oxidation-catalyst diesel and compressed natural gas transit buses are compared to estimate relative in-vehicle particulate exposures. Two primary consistencies are observed from the data: the CNG buses have average particle count concentrations near the average concentrations for the oxidation-catalyst diesel buses, and the conventional diesel buses have average particle count concentrations approximately three to four times greater than the CNG buses. Particle number concentrations are also noticeably affected by bus idling behavior and ventilation options, such as, window position and air conditioning.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, HOEN 130B, zip 4440, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    Davyda Hammond, Steven Jones & Melinda Lalor

Authors
  1. Davyda Hammond
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  2. Steven Jones
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  3. Melinda Lalor
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Correspondence to Davyda Hammond.

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Hammond, D., Jones, S. & Lalor, M. In-vehicle Measurement of Ultrafine Particles on Compressed Natural Gas, Conventional Diesel, and Oxidation-catalyst Diesel Heavy-duty Transit Buses. Environ Monit Assess 125, 239–246 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9515-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9515-z

Keywords

  • Particulate matter
  • Transit buses
  • Heavy-duty diesel engines
  • Particle number
  • In-vehicle monitoring