Towards Cleaner Cities: An Analysis of the Impact of Bus Fleet Decomposition on PM and NO X Emissions Reduction in Sustainable Public Transport

Artur Jaworski (), Vasyl Mateichyk (), Hubert Kuszewski, Maksymilian Mądziel, Paweł Woś, Bożena Babiarz, Mirosław Śmieszek and Sławomir Porada
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Artur Jaworski: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 8, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Vasyl Mateichyk: Department of Technical Systems Engineering, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 10, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Hubert Kuszewski: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 8, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Maksymilian Mądziel: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 8, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Paweł Woś: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 8, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Bożena Babiarz: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environment and Architecture, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Mirosław Śmieszek: Department of Technical Systems Engineering, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 10, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Sławomir Porada: Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, al. mjr. W. Kopisto 2a, 35-315 Rzeszow, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: The problem of poor air quality in urban areas has a negative impact on the health of residents. This is especially important during periods of smog. In Poland, as in other countries, the problem of poor air quality, especially during the winter season, is associated with a high concentration of particulate pollutants in ambient air (PM 10 , PM 2.5 ). Sources of particulate emissions, in addition to solid-fuel boilers, include means of transportation, especially those equipped with diesel engines. In turn, during periods of strong sunshine (spring and summer), the problem of photochemical smog, whose precursors are nitrogen oxides NO X , arises in urban areas. Their main sources of emissions are internal combustion engines. Therefore, to improve air quality in urban areas, changes are being made in the transport sector, among which is upgrading the fleet of urban transport vehicles to low- or zero-emission vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly. In addition, measures that reduce the harmfulness of the transportation sector to air quality include the introduction of clean transportation zones, as well as park-and-ride (P&R) systems. The purpose of this article is to present the results in terms of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and NOx emission reductions, implemented over a period of two years (2021–2022) in the area of the Rzeszow agglomeration, related to the modernization of the suburban bus fleet and the implementation of a P&R system for passenger cars. The results of the study were compared with the value of estimated emissions from coal-fired boilers used for residential heating and hot water, which also contribute to smog. Thanks to the implementation of the project, i.e., the replacement of 52 old buses with new buses of the Euro VI emission class and the construction of new P&R spaces, the total average annual reduction in emissions amounted to approximately 703.6 kg of PM 10 , approximately 692.7 kg of PM 2.5 , and a reduction of approximately 10.4 tons of NO X .

Keywords: PM emission; NO X emissions; city buses; vehicle emissions; park and ride; smog (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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