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Spatio-temporal Variations in on-road CO2 Emissions in the Los Angeles Megacity
- Source :
- AIMS Geosciences. 3:239-267
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- American Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), 2017.
-
Abstract
- We quantify hourly on-road fossil fuel carbon dioxide (FFCO2) emissions at the road segment level for the Los Angeles (LA) megacity based on observed traffic data, and characterize emission patterns across space and time. This on-road FFCO2 emissions dataset for LA (from Hestia version 1.0), based on actual traffic volume, provides emissions per vehicle kilometer travelled (VKT)—an important metric for greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. We further identify emissions hotpots that can help state and local policy makers plan the most effective GHG reduction strategies. On-road vehicle traffic accounts for half of the FFCO2 emissions in LA, of which 41% is from arterials (intermediate road type). Arterials also have the largest C emissions intensity—FFCO2 per VKT—possibly from high traffic congestion and fleet composition. Non-interstate emissions hotspots (> 419 tC lane-km-1) are equally dominated by arterials and collectors (the lowest road type) in terms of FFCO2 emissions though collectors have a higher VKT. These hotspots occur in densely populated areas and developed landuse classes, largely in LA (67%) and Orange (18%) counties, and provide specific targets for emissions reduction efforts. The estimated uncertainties for interstate, arterial and collector emissions per road length are ± 2.1, ± 0.5 and ± 18.0%, respectively. Our overall estimates compare reasonably well with other products, DARTE and FIVE but with substantial differences in spatial distribution. The method for developing this dataset is easily replicable in other urban landscapes, and represents a powerful tool for carbon cycle science and regional policy makers.
- Subjects :
- 050210 logistics & transportation
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences
Land use
business.industry
05 social sciences
Fossil fuel
Environmental engineering
General Medicine
Atmospheric sciences
01 natural sciences
Carbon cycle
Geography
Megacity
Traffic congestion
Kilometer
Traffic volume
Greenhouse gas
0502 economics and business
business
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 24712132
- Volume :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- AIMS Geosciences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........64c45b527ea6713f237c1560ac88ed96