NH-16 Traffic and Meteorology Impact on Ozone Pollution in Kharagpur, India

Abstract

This study focuses on ozone (O3) pollution resulting from road traffic in India (special focus on National Highways), where diesel and petrol are major fuels used for transportation system which are major contributors to O3 forming precursors such as NOx and VOC emissions. Data is collected by using a Serinus 10 ozone analyzer and a portable weather station Kestrel 5500. Using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), O3 concentration levels are predicted along NH-16 in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. The MLR model performance is assessed by R-squared, and F-test, along with AIC and BIC tests which are evidencing that MLR is the most suitable model, accurately predicting O3 pollution levels. The study reveals that the 8-h average O3 concentrations (117.24 µg m -3 ) exceed NAAQS 2009 (100 µg m -3 ) and WHO 2021 (100 µg m -3 ) standards. Higher traffic volume correlates negatively (r = -0.87) with lower O3 levels. Moderate south-east winds elevate O3 levels and transport pollutants away from the traffic area. Urgent action is needed, including comprehensive O3 pollution assessment on India's national highways and policy measures to mitigate it.