Work

A Study on the Deterioration of Atmospheric Conditions in Road Areas Based on the Equal-Pollution Model and Fluid Dynamics Simulations

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of roadside building development and vehicle exhaust emissions on atmospheric deterioration in urban highway areas. By integrating satellite-based building coverage data with an equal-pollution vehicle conversion method (based on human toxicity potential), we establish a computational fluid dynamics framework to simulate pollutant dispersion. Key results reveal the following: (1) Street canyon morphology, particularly its geometric symmetry, dominates diffusion patterns. Wide canyons (aspect ratio = 3.3) reduce CO accumulation by over 30% compared to deep canyons (aspect ratio = 0.3), highlighting the role of built form in regulating pollution distribution. (2) Under idealized conditions, photocatalytic pavement mitigates pollutant concentrations at human breathing height by 28.7–56.7%, demonstrating the potential of uniformly applied material solutions. These findings provide a validated theoretical basis for optimizing urban road design and evaluating environmental policies, with considerations for spatial layout and material treatment.

Source: Symmetry

DOI: 10.3390/sym17122182

Authors: Chuan Lu, Lin Teng, Xueqi Wang, Chuanwei Du, Wenke Yan, Yan Wang

Institutions: Qilu University of Technology, Chang'an University, Qilu Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Wind and Air Flow Studies

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896