Project Details

Abstract

Non-exhaust emissions, including resuspension emissions where vehicles aerosolize road dust and debris, are a major concern for both environmental and human health. As electrified transportation becomes more popular, resuspension is expected to dominate tailpipe emissions as a regulatory concern. However, our current understanding of resuspension emissions is based on fleet-wide and regional values, and there is limited information on vehicle-specific characteristics that contribute to resuspension, with the exception of vehicle weight and road-tire interactions. This yields a regulatory impasse on how to craft appropriate regulations on the basis of limited information. This is a critical discrepancy, especially if weight-based regulations are adopted, which could unnecessarily penalize electric vehicles, jeopardizing the accessibility and equity of electrified transportation. To address this foundational gap, we propose to study the connection between resuspension, road surface type, and vehicle-specific aerodynamic characteristics, including ride height, undercarriage area, and rear bumper overhang. This work will determine why specific vehicles produce more or less resuspension, and whether road surfaces can help mitigate resuspension. This work will be critical to informing vehicle and roadway regulations to mitigate the rising threat of resuspension emissions.

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