Development of point sampling technology for identifying high-emitting vehicles in narrow and deep street canyons

Point sampling technology (PS) demonstrates potential for identifying high-emitting vehicles in the historic center of Naples, offering a viable solution for air quality monitoring in narrow and deep street canyons where traditional methods are impractical. The study, conducted on two adjacent streets with similar geometries but differing traffic levels, used condensation particle number counters (CPCs) to measure fine particle (FP) concentrations and video recordings to classify vehicles. Sensitivity analysis revealed that while PS effectively captures exhaust emissions from passing vehicles, challenges persist in high-traffic scenarios. Despite these limitations, the technology provides valuable data for developing targeted air quality management policies in historical urban centers.

Murena, F., & Toscano, D. (2023). Development of point sampling technology for identifying high-emitting vehicles in narrow and deep street canyons. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 14(10), 101876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101876