Street dust research methods

Picture: Roosa Ritola

WDS

SYKE owns and operates a measuring device developed at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute VTI (VTI, Statens väg- och transportforskningsinstitut) for studying the dust load on road surfaces. WDS equipment combines a high-pressure washer with a sampling unit that allow collecting samples for further analysis. Further analysis can include for example particle size distribution and chemical analysis. WDS method can be applied for example:

• to study dust accumulation and distribution in street environment
• to monitor the effectiveness of cleaning methods
• to compare the level of dust concentrations in samples taken from the surfaces versus air samples

Additional information:

• Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute - Wet dust sampler WDS
• Lundberg, J., Blomqvist, G., Gustafsson, M. et al. Wet Dust Sampler—a Sampling Method for Road Dust Quantification and Analyses. Water Air Soil Pollut 230, 180 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-019-4226-6
• Gustafsson, M., Blomqvist, G., Järlskog, I., Lundberg, J., Janhäll, S., Elmgren, M., et al. (2019). Road dust load dynamics and influencing factors for six winter seasons in Stockholm, Sweden. Atmospheric Environment: X, 2, 100014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeaoa.2019.100014. 

NORTRIP-model (NOn-exhaust Road TRaffic Induced Particle emissions)

Processes involved in road dust formation and emissions are complex and dependent on meteorological conditions. The NORTRIP-model provides description of these processes and is used to predict emissions originating from vehicle induced wear (road, tyre and brake wear), road salt (traction and dust binding salts) and traction sand. Model can be used for scientific assessment and as a supportive tool for development of road dust abatement strategies. It is currently the most comprehensive process based non-exhaust emission model available. The NORTRIP-model has been developed in cooperation with Nordic experts and model development continues in a joint project NORDUST.

Additional information:

• NORTRIP-documentation (Norwegian Institute for Air Research - NILU)
• NORTRIP-github
• Denby, B. R., Sundvor, I., Johansson, C., Pirjola, L., Ketzel, M., Norman, M., Kupiainen, K., Gustafsson, M., Blomqvist, G., and Omstedt, G.: A coupled road dust and surface moisture model to predict non-exhaust road traffic induced particle emissions (NORTRIP). Part 1: road dust loading 45 and suspension modelling, Atmos. Environ., 77, 283–300,2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.04.069
• Denby, B. R., Sundvor, I., Johansson, C., Pirjola, L., Ketzel, M., Norman, M., Kupiainen, K., Gustafsson, M., Blomqvist, G., Kauhaniemi, M., and Omstedt, G.: A coupled road dust and surface moisture model to predict non-exhaust road traffic induced particle emissions (NORTRIP). Part 2: Surface moisture and salt impact modelling, Atmos. Environ., 81, 485–503, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.09.003