Evaluation of Dispersion Models for Predicting Carbon Monoxide Concentrations from Motor Vehicles in a Metropolitan Area

The objective of this study is to provide a simulation of pollutant atmospheric dispersion from vehicles exhausts. This study evaluates two atmospheric Gaussian dispersion models against experimental results obtained near a roadway intersection located in an urban area; the agreement of measured and predicted CO concentrations is very acceptable. The paper shows also the computed spatial distribution of CO concentrations at the ground level emitted from motor vehicles in the urban area around the monitoring site. The data that have a direct impact on emissions of all motor vehicles were determined through integration of information provided by agencies and institutions, and employing the COPERT methodology. The models were also run to determine when the highest levels of CO would occur in a worst-case meteorological conditions scenario. The results indicate that the levels of CO are below the ambient air quality standar