Ricardo : launches real-world vehicle emissions monitoring service
March 20, 2017 at 04:11 am EDT
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Accurate measurement of the emissions of passing vehicles
Linked to automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras for individual vehicle identification
Data can be used to inform Clean Air Zone and Low Emissions Zone design and policy
Highlights the most polluting of vehicles at a given highway location based on actual usage
Vehicle emissions are the primary cause of air quality standard exceedances in the majority of UK Air Quality Management Areas. Increasing pressure to reduce the impact of pollution from vehicles has led to growing interest in the introduction of 'Clean Air Zones' and 'Low Emission Zones'. However, such mitigation measures are expensive to design and implement and, while street level air quality monitoring can highlight the problem in the form of the local hot spots at which exceedances occur, it does not provide information on which of the passing vehicles are the most polluting.
Marking a significant step forward in the measurement of emissions from vehicles on UK roads, Ricardo Energy & Environment, working with technology partner OPUS Inspection, has launched a real-world vehicle emissions monitoring service.
Installed at locations of interest, the measurement system instantaneously records in a completely non-intrusive manner, the real-world driving emissions - of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and ammonia - from each passing vehicle.
The data recorded can be used to identify the most polluting vehicle types (i.e. buses, heavy goods vehicles, vans and cars) and their respective contributions to emissions. Significant improvements are thus possible in the accuracy of modelling and simulation efforts underpinning the design of Clean Air Zones, reducing uncertainty by replacing assumptions with evidence-based, real-world driving emissions information. Moreover, once such zones have been implemented, the system can be used to support enforcement management through the identification of non-compliant vehicles.
'Ricardo's new vehicle emission measurement service is a major step forward in the measurement of real-world vehicle emissions in the UK, helping our clients to improve the design, enforceability and overall effectiveness of Clean Air and Low Emissions Zones' explains Sean Christiansen, Ricardo Energy & Environment air quality practice director. 'The capability that this new system gives us complements the extensive air quality capabilities that Ricardo offers, ranging from support and advice on pollution control policies, pollution modelling and measurements, inventory design and compilation and the development of low emission strategies.'
For further information on the Ricardo vehicle emission monitoring service visit http://ee.ricardo.com/cms/Vehicle-emission-measurement or contact vehicle.emissions@ricardo.com.
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Ricardo plc published this content on 20 March 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 20 March 2017 08:09:00 UTC.
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Ricardo plc is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company. The Company operates through five segments: Energy and Environment (EE), Rail, Automotive and Industrial (A&I), Defense, and Performance Products (PP). The EE segment is engaged in the provision of environmental consultancy services to customers across the world. The Rail segment is a consultancy unit that provides technical advice and engineering services; and performs accredited assurance services. The A&I segment is engaged in the provision of engineering, strategic consulting, and design, development, and testing services, focused on hybrid and electric systems, electrification, engines, driveline and transmissions, testing, and vehicle engineering. The Defense segment provides engineering services, software, and products to customers in the United States defense market. The PP segment manufactures, assembles, and develops niche components, prototypes, and complex products.