Article
Construction & Building Technology
Chao Lin, Ryozo Ooka, Hideki Kikumoto, Cedric Flageul, Youngseob Kim, Yunyi Wang, Alice Maison, Yang Zhang, Karine Sartelet
Summary: This study conducted large-eddy simulations to investigate the pollutant reduction effects of hedge and solid barriers in a three-dimensional idealized street canyon. The results were validated using wind tunnel data. The simulations accurately predicted the distribution of pollutant concentrations and demonstrated that both types of barriers led to reduced concentrations. The hedge and solid barriers created counter-direction vortices that transported pollutants towards the center of the canyon and enhanced vertical pollutant removal. The concentration reductions near the leeward and windward walls and throughout the street canyon were quantified.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jingli Yan, Wendy Y. Chen, Zixiao Zhang, Wenxing Zhao, Min Liu, Shan Yin
Summary: Vegetation barriers are an effective strategy in urban planning to mitigate traffic-induced air pollution and reduce exposure. This study uses field measurements and numerical modeling to show that constructing vegetation barriers with short bushes can effectively reduce PM2.5 pollution in open-road environments, while higher coverage of tall bushes may worsen the pollution.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xin Liu, Xue-Qing Shi, Hong-Di He, Xiao-Bing Li, Zhong-Ren Peng
Summary: This study investigates the vertical distribution patterns of particulate matter (PM) concentrations near elevated expressways using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Results show that PM concentrations vary significantly at different sites, with vegetation, noise barriers, and buildings having an impact on PM concentrations. The study also reveals different characteristics in PM concentration distribution in different areas, providing insights for mitigating traffic-related PM pollution in urban areas.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huanhuan Wang, Keith Ngan
Summary: The study investigates the effects of source inhomogeneity on pollutant dispersion from a cubic building array. Results show that source location strongly influences the outcomes, with sensitivity changing abruptly around 30 degrees. This research clarifies the relationship between inhomogeneous velocity and pollutant statistics, which can be useful for traffic control policy formulation.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Tie Zheng, Bai Li, Xiao-Bing Li, Zhanyong Wang, Si-Yu Li, Zhong-Ren Peng
Summary: The study found that CO and PM particles show vertical distribution mainly within the height range of 0-60 meters, with PM1 being mostly influenced by background concentration while coarse particles and CO concentrations are more related to traffic activities. Compared with non-rush hours, pollutant concentrations decay more significantly in the vertical direction during traffic rush hours, and the horizontal dispersion of CO can reach over 60 meters downwind from the road.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Melike Nese Tezel-Oguz, Muhammed Marasli, Deniz Sari, Nesimi Ozkurt, S. Sinan Keskin
Summary: This study investigated the simultaneous effects of a specific noise barrier application on near-road noise and air pollution at a specific location. The results showed that the noise barrier not only reduced noise levels but also decreased the NOx concentration, improving air quality. The study also found that the dispersion mechanisms of NOx and noise were different, indicating the need for further research to optimize noise barrier designs considering both noise and air pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tie Zheng, Yue-Ping Jia, Shaojun Zhang, Xiao-Bing Li, Ye Wu, Cui-Lin Wu, Hong-Di He, Zhong-Ren Peng
Summary: The study found that dense vegetation created an accumulation area of particle pollutants on sidewalks and bike paths, while porous vegetation had weak interception effects on pollutants. The results suggest that vegetation can improve air quality away from it but may worsen air quality close to it.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jozef Salva, Miroslav Vanek, Marian Schwarz, Milada Gajtanska, Peter Tonhauzer, Anna Duricova
Summary: The study estimated the contributions of exhaust and non-exhaust traffic-related PM2.5 and PM10 emissions to total ambient pollution in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia using the AERMOD dispersion model. It was found that on-road mobile sources, particularly non-exhaust emissions, significantly contribute to PM pollution in the study area, highlighting the need for attention to these sources in air quality management efforts.
Article
Thermodynamics
Jie Ma, Mengmeng Xu, Jiehui Jiang
Summary: Due to residents' increasing concern on the environment and urban life, urban road carbon and pollutant emissions have been receiving much attention. However, quantitatively measuring urban road emissions is challenging due to the diversity of emission sources and complexity of network topological structure. This study proposes a method that incorporates a traffic assignment problem using travel demand data to calculate traffic flow and average speed of different vehicle types on the road, enabling the estimation of vehicle carbon and pollutant emissions with high resolution. The method can be applied to other regions and cities using corresponding travel demand data.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zhen Qian, Min Chen, Yue Yang, Teng Zhong, Fan Zhang, Rui Zhu, Kai Zhang, Zhixin Zhang, Zhuo Sun, Peilong Ma, Guonian Lu, Yu Ye, Jinyue Yan
Summary: This study creates a vectorized dataset of roadside noise barriers (RNBs) in China using street view imagery and geospatial artificial intelligence. The dataset, generated through convolutional neural networks, shows high quality and can be used for various urban studies. The study also provides a benchmark dataset for RNB detection.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mette Sorensen, Aslak H. Poulsen, Ulla A. Hvidtfeldt, Jorgen Brandt, Lise M. Frohn, Matthias Ketzel, Jesper H. Christensen, Ulas Im, Jibran Khan, Thomas Muenzel, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen
Summary: Air pollution, road traffic noise, and lack of green space are independently associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chung Hyok Sin, Yang Luo, Kwang Song Jon, Peng-Yi Cui, Yuan-dong Huang
Summary: This study investigates the effects of void deck height, location, and building height on the airflow field and traffic pollutant diffusion in a long canyon. The results show that void decks have a significant impact on the airflow and pollutant distribution within the canyon. Canyons with void decks have higher air exchange rates and purging flow rates, leading to better removal of traffic pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Szymon Skibicki, Adam Zielinski, Victor Aguilar, Pablo E. Hurtado, Maria Kaszynska, Andrzej Nowak
Summary: Every year, more than a million people die in road crashes and tens of millions are injured or disabled globally. Improving road safety is a constant concern to protect road users, especially road workers who are at the highest risk. Temporary road traffic barriers, such as steel barriers, are used to separate passing traffic from workspaces and prevent vehicle intrusions. The development of a compliant steel barrier was successfully achieved through a methodology involving theoretical analysis, laboratory tests, finite element models, and a full-scale crash test. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of static laboratory tests and finite element models in improving the design process and reducing costs.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ines Belkacem, Ali Helali, Salah Khardi, Amani Chrouda, Khalifa Slimi
Summary: The human effects and environmental impacts of nanoparticles generated from road traffic have become a topic of concern. However, the knowledge about the influencing variables, monitoring instruments, and regulations for nanoparticles is still limited. This overview provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing knowledge, ongoing research, and emerging priorities in this field, including the sources, influencing parameters, measurement methodologies, and health implications of nanoparticles in road traffic atmosphere.
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lu Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhang, Chaoyang Feng, Meirong Tian, Yanni Gao
Summary: The establishment of vegetation in urban areas is a potential solution to combat elevated particulate matter pollution and enhance the sustainability of cities, yet the effects of vegetation in street-canyon locations on traffic pollutant dispersion and deposition are not well studied. Results showed that the transportation and distribution of traffic-generated PM pollutant varied with different wind regimes, with vegetation configurations playing a significant role in the effectiveness of vegetation in reducing pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shimul Roy, Yun Fat Lam, Ngo Tho Hung, Johnny C. L. Chan, Joshua S. Fu
Summary: The emission inventories for Vietnam Thermal Power Plants developed in 2010 and 2015 showed coal-fired power plants had the highest emissions and the largest uncertainty in NOx. The Red River Delta region had the largest emissions of CO2, N2O, SO2, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, BC, and OC from coal-fired TPPs, while the Southeast region had the largest sources of CO, NMVOC, and CH4 caused by gas-fired TPPs. The growths of NOx, CO, NMVOC, PM10, PM2.5, BC, OC, CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions increased significantly from 2010 to 2015, while there was a 19% reduction in SO2 emissions due to the decommissioning of oil-fired TPPs.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongsheng Zhang, Yinyi Lin, Shan Wei, Becky P. Y. Loo, P. C. Lai, Yun Fat Lam, Luoma Wan, Yu Li
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global air quality through examining global nitrogen dioxide (NO2) dynamics. The findings show the association between lockdown policies and NO2 concentration in different countries.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wanlu Ouyang, Tobi Eniolu Morakinyo, Chao Ren, Sheng Liu, Edward Ng
Summary: Greenery infrastructure (GI) is crucial for the sustainable development of cities and communities. This study compared the thermal-irradiant performance of three typical GI typologies and found that ground trees experienced the smallest thermal-irradiant average and variation among the three types, while the morning session had the largest thermal-irradiant reduction and variations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yun Fat Lam, Chung-Wo Ong, Man -Hon Wong, Wai-Fun Sin, Cheuk-Wai Lo
Summary: The Community Weather Information Network (Co-WIN) was established by HKO and PolyU in 2007 to promote weather and climate education. Co-WIN operates over 100 AWSs in densely populated areas of Hong Kong, providing a large set of potentially useful weather data for urban climate research.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jeffrey Man-Hei Chang, Yun Fat Lam, Stephen Po-Wing Lau, Wai-Kin Wong
Summary: The study developed an Urban Microscale Temperature Forecast (UMTF) model, which downscales daily temperature extremes of 10-km ensemble forecast into 50-m resolution across Hong Kong with high accuracy. Comparison with other datasets demonstrates the effectiveness of the model in a heterogeneous urban environment.
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Zhixin Liu, Wenwen Cheng, C. Y. Jim, Tobi Eniolu Morakinyo, Yuan Shi, Edward Ng
Summary: Urban green and blue infrastructures are seen as effective tools for mitigating urban heat stress and enhancing human thermal comfort. The use of ENVI-met software in GBI research follows a three-step workflow of modeling, validation, and scenario simulation. A comprehensive review of 79 studies utilizing ENVI-met as the primary tool was conducted, focusing on data sources, indicator selection, analytical approaches, and recommendations for improving research workflows.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Chao Ren, Kai Wang, Yuan Shi, Yu Ting Kwok, Tobi Eniolu Morakinyo, Tsz-cheung Lee, Yuguo Li
Summary: This study examined the UHI and UCI characteristics in Hong Kong during warm periods from 2000 to 2018, finding that both effects are exacerbated during extreme heat events. By mapping the UHIdh and UCIdh spatial patterns, a deeper understanding of their spatial characteristics during extreme heat events was achieved.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Hugo Wai Leung Mak, Yun Fat Lam
Summary: Data Openness is crucial for scientific innovation, community engagement and smart city development. A Data Openness in Air Quality (DOAQ) framework with 23 open data principles was established to assess air quality information sharing in top smart cities. The study found a strong correlation between air quality reporting and environmental data openness in cities, and provided guidelines for future smart city development in air quality reporting.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yun-Fat Lam, Jeffrey M. H. Chang, Becky P. Y. Loo, Hong-Sheng Zhang, Kenneth K. M. Leung, Kay W. Axhausen
Summary: A study of 15 cities across the world during the COVID-19 pandemic found substantial variations in the public health co-benefits of reducing PM2.5 pollution, depending on factors such as seasonal air quality and population baselines. While non-pharmaceutical interventions had no co-benefits in North American cities due to being implemented during a low pollution season, significant health benefits were observed in cities with high PM2.5 levels and large populations, such as in India and China.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
S. Roy, Y. F. Lam, M. U. Hossain, J. C. L. Chan
Summary: The electricity generation in developing countries heavily relies on fossil fuels, resulting in significant greenhouse gas emissions. This study projected and evaluated the benefits of adopting green and renewable energy sources in Vietnam, showing substantial reductions in emissions. This is an important finding for developing countries that are seeking to combat climate change and reduce their carbon footprint.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yun Fat Lam, Hung Ming Cheung
Summary: This study investigates the influence of Long-range Transport (LRT) and Stratosphere-Troposphere Transport (STT) on Policy Relevant Background (PRB) ozone in East Asia. The results show that both LRT and STT contribute to the increase in surface background ozone. STT has the most significant impact during spring, while Beijing and Guangzhou experience the most substantial anthropogenic enhancement in ozone during summer.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shimul Roy, Yun Fat Lam, Johnny C. L. Chan, Ngo Tho Hung, Joshua S. Fu
Summary: Emission reduction in the thermal power sector is a top priority for the Vietnam government to combat climate change and air pollution. However, the intensive use of coal-fired power plants is expected to lead to an increase in carbon emissions. Although effective pollution controls are expected to decrease NOx emissions, there are still challenges in achieving carbon neutrality in Vietnam.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yun Fat Lam, Chi Chiu Cheung, Xuguo Zhang, Joshua S. Fu, Jimmy Chi Hung Fung
Summary: A new method for reallocating industrial sources was developed, leading to improved accuracy in simulating air quality, especially for emissions in China. By reallocation of industrial emissions, more realistic spatial patterns were provided, resulting in reduced root mean square error (RMSE) compared to population-based methods.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Na Zhao, Xinyi Dong, Kan Huang, Joshua S. Fu, Marianne Tronstad Lund, Kengo Sudo, Daven Henze, Tom Kucsera, Yun Fat Lam, Mian Chin, Simone Tilmes
Summary: Black carbon (BC) emissions play a key role in regional climate change in the Arctic, with long-range transport from regions outside the Arctic impacting BC concentrations significantly. Reductions in anthropogenic BC emissions from different source regions in 2010 showed varying impacts on Arctic BC concentrations and surface temperature, with East Asia having the most significant influence. The sensitivity of Arctic temperature to BC emission reductions was found to be substantially higher than global temperature, emphasizing the importance of curbing global BC emissions for slowing down surface warming in the Arctic.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Shimul Roy, Yun Fat Lam, Ngo Tho Hung, Johnny C. L. Chan
Summary: This study developed updated emission inventories for road transportation in Vietnam, finding that motorcycles and diesel trucks are the main sources of emissions. Future policy interventions are expected to lead to emission reductions of 11%-125% by 2030, pushing Vietnam towards environmental sustainability.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)