Emissions and Performance of Alternative Vehicles in Northern Climates

The focus of this project is to quantify "real-world" emissions from hybrid versus non-hybrid vehicles. State-of-the-art micro-simulation models can replicate vehicle activity, fuel economy and emissions. Unfortunately, the factors used by such models are often based on data from laboratory tests conducted under ideal conditions. Transportation planning models are the basis for decision-making related to new infrastructure, congestion mitigation and safety. These models are also used to evaluate the air quality impacts of transportation projects under Federal "Conformity" legislation requirements (CFR, 2006; FHWA, 2006). State-of-the-art micro simulation models, such as TRANSIMS, model second-by-second vehicle activity (speed and acceleration rate), fuel economy, and emissions (LANL, 2005). Unfortunately, the emissions algorithms used by such models are often based on look-up tables of data from laboratory dynamometer tests conducted under ideal conditions (i.e. new vehicles, 70 degrees F) that do not capture actual "real-world", on-road emissions accurately and do not account for real-world factors such as road grade, temperature or other non-ideal factors. Furthermore, due to their recent introduction, the emissions benefits of alternative technologies like hybrid-electric vehicles and alternative fuels (biofuels) are not incorporated due to a lack of emissions and performance data.

• Record URL:
  http://www.uvm.edu/trc/university-transportation-center/utc-current-project-list/emissions-performance-of-alternative-vehicles-in-northern-climates/
• Supplemental Notes:
  • http://www.uvm.edu/~transctr/research/trc_reports/UVM-TRC-14-008.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $381591.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT06-G-0018

  024043

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Troy, Austin

  Aultman-Hall, Lisa

• Performing Organizations:

  UVM Transportation Center

  University of Vermont
  210 Colchester Avenue
  Burlington, VT  United States  05405
• Principal Investigators:

  Holmen, Britt

• Start Date: 20090801
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20110331
• Source Data: RiP Project 26277

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Alternate fuels; Exhaust gases; Hybrid vehicles; Microsimulation; Pollutants; State of the art
• Subject Areas: Energy; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01569186
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: UVM Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT06-G-0018, 024043
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 2 2015 1:00AM