ReACh: Resuspension Emissions Based on Aerodynamic Characteristics

Non-exhaust emissions, including resuspension emissions where vehicles aerosolize road dust and debris, are a major concern for both environmental and human health. As electrified transportation becomes more popular, resuspension is expected to dominate tailpipe emissions as a regulatory concern. However, current understanding of resuspension emissions is based on fleet-wide and regional values, and there is limited information on vehicle-specific characteristics that contribute to resuspension, with the exception of vehicle weight and road-tire interactions. This yields a regulatory impasse on how to craft appropriate regulations on the basis of limited information. This is a critical discrepancy, especially if weight-based regulations are adopted, which could unnecessarily penalize electric vehicles, jeopardizing the accessibility and equity of electrified transportation. To address this foundational gap, the authors propose to study the connection between resuspension, road surface type, and vehicle-specific aerodynamic characteristics, including ride height, undercarriage area, and rear bumper overhang. This work will determine why specific vehicles produce more or less resuspension, and whether road surfaces can help mitigate resuspension. This work will be critical to informing vehicle and roadway regulations to mitigate the rising threat of resuspension emissions.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Active
  • Funding: $120000
  • Contract Numbers:

    69A3552348308

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

    University Transportation Centers Program
    Department of Transportation
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Managing Organizations:

    Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability

    North Dakota State University
    Fargo, North Dakota  United States  58108-6050
  • Project Managers:

    Tolliver, Denver

  • Performing Organizations:

    Colorado State University

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
    Campus Delivery 1372
    Fort Collins, CO  United States  80523
  • Principal Investigators:

    Paglioni, Vincent

    Gallegos, Erika

    Coburn, Tim

  • Start Date: 20240716
  • Expected Completion Date: 20260715
  • Actual Completion Date: 0
  • USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
  • Source Data: CTIPS-023

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01926277
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability
  • Contract Numbers: 69A3552348308
  • Files: UTC, RIP
  • Created Date: Jul 31 2024 4:38PM