Estimating Project-Level Vehicle Emissions with Vissim and MOVES-Matrix

Estimating transportation network emissions requires multiplying estimates of on-road vehicle activity (by source type and operating mode) by applicable emission rates for the observed source type and operating conditions. Coupling microsimulation model runs with emissions modeling can make fast assessments possible in transportation air quality planning. This research developed a tool with automated linkage between the Vissim microsimulation model and the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) model. To link the two models, the research team used MOVES-Matrix, which was prepared by iteratively running MOVES across all possible iterations of vehicle source type, fuel, environmental and operating conditions, and other parameters (hundreds of millions of model runs) to create a multidimensional emission rate lookup matrix. A Vissim simulation of the major arterial roads and freeways at I-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Gwinnett County, Georgia, provided the case study for this MOVES-matrix application. The researchers present predicted emissions and the results of a sensitivity analysis to identify the potential impacts of various internal Vissim modeling parameters (such as minimum headway, maximum deceleration rate for cooperative braking, and emergency stop distance) on a case study’s emissions outputs. The sensitivity analysis found that internal Vissim parameters impacted emissions and that proper care should be taken in using Vissim for emissions analysis at the corridor and link level. The case study demonstrates that Vissim coupled with MOVES-Matrix can be an effective tool for emissions analysis.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2570-12
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309369923
• Authors:
  • Xu, Xiaodan
  • Liu, Haobing
  • Anderson, James M
  • Xu, Yanzhi (Ann)
  • Hunter, Michael
  • Rodgers, Michael O
  • Guensler, Randall L
• Publication Date: 2016

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 107–117
• Monograph Title: Air Quality
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2570
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Estimating; Exhaust gases; Microsimulation; Sensitivity analysis; Vehicle fleets; Vehicle mix
• Identifier Terms: Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES); VISSIM (Computer model)
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01588784
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309369923
• Report/Paper Numbers: 16-6434
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 29 2016 9:33AM