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On-road carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon remote sensing in the Chicago area. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5950053

A carbon monoxide (C) and hydrocarbon (HC) infra-red remote sensor was utilized for measuring Chicago-area motor vehicle emissions. This on-road measuring system also recorded vehicle speed, an estimate of acceleration and a freeze-frame video of each vehicle's license plate. Exhaust %CO and %HC are calculated and are equivalent to tailpipe probe measurements. Grams of CO or HC per gallon of gasoline also are derived. Over 13,000 vehicles were measured in seven days. Half of the CO emitted came from 9.4% of those vehicles with %CO greater than 3.5%. Half of HC was emitted by 14.25% with %HC greater than 0.23%. Only a small fraction (20%) of all vehicles was responsible for most emissions. Most new vehicles are clear with regard to CO emissions, but % HC showed only a slight model year dependence. The dirtiest 20% of year-old vehicles had greater emission than the cleanest 20% of all vehicles regardless of age and emissions control technology. The average measurement for CO was 1.10% (425 gm./gal.), and for HC, 0.139% (84 gm./gal.) in propane equivalents. Implications for effective control strategies are outlined.

Research Organization:
Denver Univ., CO (United States). Dept. of Chemistry
OSTI ID:
5950053
Report Number(s):
PB-92-121490/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English