Overview

Transportation dynamics in cold climates differ significantly from those in cities with milder weather conditions. Extremely cold winters influence individual mode choices, increase vehicle idling and cabin heating requirements, compromise road conditions, and lead to more frequent atmospheric stability. Decarbonization strategies effective in other cities may not be suitable for cold climate cities, such as those in Canada, northern Europe, and Asia, which require tailored approaches.

Objectives

In this Environment and Climate Change Canada-funded project, we aim to explore urban mobility options uniquely suited to cold-climate cities.

Methodology

Our approach includes collecting real-world transportation data (traffic volume, speed, fleet composition, fleet technology), measuring real-world driving emissions for selected technologies using Portable Emission Measurement Systems (PEMS), conducting powertrain simulations, developing data-driven models for cold climate emission factors, and employing machine learning and AI for traffic forecasting in cold climates. We will also develop a bottom-up emission inventory, perform emission speciation and gridding, and utilize atmospheric chemical transport modeling.

Current Status

The project currently employs three full-time Highly Qualified Personnel (HQPs) at the University of Alberta and Simon Fraser University, with an additional HQP set to join at the University of Alberta in Fall 2024. As the project finishes its second year and enters its third, significant progress has been made. The mobile source emission model for the City of Edmonton is ready, and the weather and chemical transport models for Alberta are deployed and operational. The integration of these models is ongoing. Emission modeling for cold climate impacts and PEMS/Real Driving Emissions (RDE) tests at the University of Alberta have been conducted and finalized.

Collboration with the University of Alberta 

The University of Alberta HQPs collect data from a wide range of vehicles with different technologies, using Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) under cold weather conditions. The data is analyzed to understand how cold weather affects driving cycles for various applications and how these changes influence emission factors. Additionally, we'll create and validate computer models of several vehicles based on real-world data. These models will allow us to simulate various driving scenarios and analyze the effects of different parameters on both emissions and fuel consumption. Furthermore, this data will be used to develop predictive models using machine learning, which will enable us to predict emissions using simulations. This project will provide valuable insights for reducing vehicle emissions in cold climates

Publications 

• Abediasl, H., Balazade Meresht, N., Alizadeh, H., Shahbakhti, M., Koch, C.R., Hosseini, V., Road transportation emissions and energy consumption in cold climate cities, Urban Climate, 52, 101697 (link)

Collaborators:

CREATE researchers:

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