Remote Sensing of In-use Heavy-duty Diesel Trucks

Authors

Daniel A. Burgard, University of Puget Sound
Gary A. Bishop, University of DenverFollow
Donald H. Stedman, University of Denver
Viktoria H. Gessner, University of Wuerzburg
Christian Daeschlein, University of Wuerzburg

Publication Date

2006

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Keywords

Atmospheric chemistry, Emissions, Pollutants, Heavy-duty diesel trucks

Abstract

On-road measurements in 2005 of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide from 1641 individually identified heavy-duty diesel trucks at two locations in Colorado are reported. Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide show increasing emissions with increased altitude. Oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emissions have decreased with more recent model years over the last 10 years but are the same as vehicles that are 20 years old. At the Golden, CO site, there was a statistically significant decrease in fleet emissions of CO and NO_x since a similar study in 1999. There was no emission trend for CO or NO_x with gross vehicle weight or odometer in units of grams of pollutant per kilogram of fuel consumed. Data from this study suggest that on-road remote sensing can detect illegal, high sulfur fuel use from individual heavy-duty diesel trucks. Ammonia emissions from this study were below the detection limit of the instrument but will be useful as a baseline value for future comparison.

Publication Statement

Copyright held by the American Chemical Society.

Recommended Citation

Burgard, D. A.; Bishop, G. A.; Stedman, D. H.; Gessner, V. H.; Daeschlein, C., Remote sensing of in-use heavy-duty diesel trucks. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2006, 40, 6938-6942, DOI: 10.1021/es060989a