Identification of places with deteriorated air quality in city of Žilina in relation to road transport

Šarkan, Branislav; Loman, Michal; Harantová, Veronika · 2023 · Crossref

DOI: 10.14669/am/176958

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Summary

This study investigates the identification of locations with deteriorated air quality in the city of Žilina, Slovakia, specifically in relation to road transport emissions. Motivated by the health risks associated with particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) from vehicle exhaust and non-exhaust sources like brake and tire wear, the research aims to pinpoint critical pollution hotspots to inform sustainable urban planning and air quality management policies. The methodology involved practical field measurements conducted during morning rush hours (7:00–9:00 AM) along a predefined route characterized by high traffic and pedestrian density. The route covered key urban areas, including shopping centers, bus and railway stations, and university dormitories. Researchers used a PCE-PCO 2 particle counter to measure PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at 33 specific points, with each measurement repeated three times to mitigate extreme values. Simultaneously, an ENVEA CO micro-sensor recorded continuous carbon monoxide levels. GPS coordinates were logged to map emission spikes to specific road sections. The study excluded comparison with distant official monitoring stations to focus strictly on local traffic impacts. The results identified specific sections with elevated pollutant concentrations. Carbon monoxide levels showed a consistent, significant increase on Vojtecha Spanyana Street towards Vysokoškolákov Street across multiple measurements, correlating with known traffic congestion zones. However, CO levels generally remained within "very good" to "good" air quality limits. In contrast, PM10 concentrations exhibited more variable but severe spikes, reaching "deteriorated" air quality levels near the Aupark shopping center, the bus/railway station vicinity, and the intersection of Veľká Okružná and Komenského streets. PM2.5 levels remained relatively stable and low throughout the measurements. The study attributes these PM spikes to frequent vehicle stopping and starting, which increases brake dust and tire wear emissions. The significance of this research lies in its ability to precisely locate emission hotspots linked to traffic intensity and infrastructure design, such as signalized intersections. The findings support the implementation of targeted air quality management strategies, such as restricting vehicle access to highly polluted zones or optimizing traffic flow to reduce stops. The authors conclude that establishing permanent, localized monitoring systems at these identified critical points is essential for validating long-term pollution trends and effectively reducing urban air pollution.

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