Assessment of the Impact of CO, NOx and PM10 on Air Quality during Road Construction and Operation Phases

Abstract

The road sector is one of the main sources of air emissions in the atmosphere during both construction and operation. The objective of the present paper is a comprehensive evaluation of the impact on air quality during the two main phases of life cycle of roads. In this case study of a motorway project, the emissions of the primary pollutants, CO, NOx, and PM10 are estimated, and the results showed that (i) CO and NOx pollutants released during both phases are comparable, while the emissions of PM10 are more significant in the construction phase; (ii) 85% of PM10 in construction is due to storage, transit on unpaved road, and crushing; (iii) the portals of the tunnel are the sites where there are higher concentrations of pollutants in operation; and (iv) the CO concentrations estimated by the dispersion model are strongly influenced by the topography.

Functionalization of Smart Recycled Asphalt Mixtures: A Sustainability Scientific and Pedagogical Approach

“…According to the supplier, for pavement applications, the best mixing proportion is 2/1 in mass. Its main properties are the density of 1.10 g/cm 3 ; ideal temperature application between 10 and 30 • C; and adhesion >3 N/mm 2 ; curing period of 24 h. Epoxy resins are commonly used in road pavements, and they were already tested as a binder in the spreading functionalization method [27,36]. In addition, only for superhydrophobic purposes, a similar approach was carried out using a diluted epoxy resin [27].…”

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 90% of the world population lives in areas where the concentration of pollutants exceeds the maximum limits, causing more than 4 million premature deaths, while nine out of ten breathe very polluted air [1]. Some of the main air pollutants are fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NO x ), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and SO x , compounds of sulfur and oxygen molecules [2][3][4]. Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) is the predominant SO x form found in the lower atmosphere [1].…”

Mitigating Dust Pollution from Construction Activities: A Behavioural Control Perspective

“…Excavation, filling, stockpiling, and haulage operations generate huge volumes of dust containing silica that could spread beyond the site limits as dump trucks transport these materials to disposal sites [33]. Vehicle movement on unpaved roads, which is typical of temporary roads within construction sites, also creates large quantities of dust [34]. Dust generated by temporary road surfaces during construction is the most prominent source of air pollution followed by emissions from storage of bulk material and construction equipment.…”

“…Dust generated by temporary road surfaces during construction is the most prominent source of air pollution followed by emissions from storage of bulk material and construction equipment. Detailed monitoring results showed PM 10 is the most prevent pollutant compared to CO and NOx, the former is mainly generated through soil disturbances and unsealed temporary roads while the latter mainly due to equipment use [34]. Dust generated during urban construction activities is initially deposited in nearby roads, which are subsequently re-suspended due to vehicular traffic.…”

Evaluation of the Physical, Chemical and Environmental Properties of Ladle Furnace Slag for Their Utilization as Filler in Bituminous Mixtures

“…More specifically, the construction of road infrastructures is an activity that demands important quantities of raw materials. At the same time, it significantly alters the landscape and requires continuous rehabilitation works that consume new materials [8].…”