Roadside measurements of particulate matter size distribution

Abstract

Roadside measurements were performed in order to document the size distribution of particulate matter (PM) under dilution conditions similar to those found in real world. These activities covered measurements at engine test beds, at different locations in a road tunnel as well as in an urban environment. In order to get a clear picture of the evolution of the PM in different size classes, the in-tunnel locations ranged from curb-side to different locations inside the exhaust air system. Additional measurements were performed in the ambient air at curb-side at a street crossing as well as in urban background. At those times when heavy traffic occurs, tunnel measurements show size distributions similar to those derived from engine/vehicle measurements. During times with little traffic the size distributions are closer to those recorded in ambient air. As soon as the traffic load increases the size distribution changes, due to rapid coagulation of the smallest particles with the accumulation mode. As the travel time of the particles through the tunnel and up the stacks is very long “aging” effects could be observed. Thus, these spectra are quite different from ambient measurements in urban air, especially in the region above 30–40 nm.