VISSIM/MOVES integration to investigate the effect of major key parameters on CO2 emissions

This paper looks at CO2 emissions on limited access highways in a microscopic and stochastic environment using an optimal design approach. Estimating vehicle emissions based on second-by-second vehicle operation allows the integration of a microscopic traffic simulation model with the latest US Environmental Protection Agency’s mobile source emissions model to improve accuracy. A factorial experiment on a test bed prototype of the I-4 urban limited access highway corridor located in Orlando, Florida was conducted to identify the optimal settings for CO2 emissions reduction and to develop a microscopic transportation emission prediction model. An exponentially decaying function towards a limiting value expressed in the freeway capacity is found to correlate with CO2 emission rates. Moreover, speeds between 55 and 60 mph show emission rate reduction effect while maintaining up to 90% of the freeway’s capacity. The results show that speed has a significant impact on CO2 emissions when detailed and microscopic analysis of vehicle operations of acceleration and deceleration are considered.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Traffic and emission models are integrated to estimate second by second emissions.
► Vehicle specific power and instantaneous speeds are critical for precise emissions.
► CO2 emission rates decay exponentially with freeway capacity.
► 55–60 mph speeds minimize emission rates with freeways up to 90% capacity.