Wind tunnel modeling of roadways: Comparison with mathematical models
- Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin, Inc., Guelph, Ontario (Canada)
- New Brunswick Dept. of the Environment, Fredericton, New Brunswick (Canada)
The assessment of air quality impacts from roadways is a major concern to urban planners. In order to assess future road and building configurations, a number of techniques have been developed including mathematical models, which simulate traffic emissions and atmospheric dispersion through a series of mathematical relationships and physical models. The latter models simulate emissions and dispersion through scaling of these processes in a wind tunnel. Two roadway mathematical models, HIWAY-2 and CALINE-4, were applied to a proposed development in a large urban area. Physical modeling procedures developed by Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin Inc. (RWDI) in the form of line source simulators were also applied, and the resulting carbon monoxide concentrations were compared. The results indicated a factor of two agreement between the mathematical and physical models. The physical model, however, reacted to change in building massing and configuration. The mathematical models did not, since no provision for such changes was included in the mathematical models. In general, the RWDI model resulted in higher concentrations than either HIWAY-2 or CALINE-4. Where there was underprediction, it was often due to shielding of the receptor by surrounding buildings. Comparison of these three models with the CALTRANS Tracer Dispersion Experiment showed good results although concentrations were consistently underpredicted.
- OSTI ID:
- 5867758
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 41:11; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIFFUSION
EVALUATION
EXHAUST GASES
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POLLUTION
ROADS
SIMULATION
TUNNELS
TURBULENT FLOW
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
URBAN AREAS
WASTES
WIND TUNNELS