Spatio-temporal Variations in on-road CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions in the Los Angeles Megacity

Preeti Rao; Kevin R. Gurney; Risa Patarasuk; Yang Song; Charles E. Miller; Riley M. Duren; Annmarie Eldering; Preeti Rao; Kevin R. Gurney; Risa Patarasuk; Yang Song; Charles E. Miller; Riley M. Duren; Annmarie Eldering

doi:10.3934/geosci.2017.2.239

AIMS Geosciences

2017, Volume 3, Issue 2: 239-267. doi: 10.3934/geosci.2017.2.239

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Research article

Spatio-temporal Variations in on-road CO₂ Emissions in the Los Angeles Megacity

1.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109
2.
School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
3.
School of Life Sciences, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287

Received: 26 April 2017 Accepted: 15 June 2017 Published: 27 June 2017

We quantify hourly on-road fossil fuel carbon dioxide (FFCO₂) emissions at the road segment level for the Los Angeles (LA) megacity based on observed traffic data, and characterize emission patterns across space and time. This on-road FFCO₂ emissions dataset for LA (from Hestia version 1.0), based on actual traffic volume, provides emissions per vehicle kilometer travelled (VKT)—an important metric for greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. We further identify emissions hotpots that can help state and local policy makers plan the most effective GHG reduction strategies. On-road vehicle traffic accounts for half of the FFCO₂ emissions in LA, of which 41% is from arterials (intermediate road type). Arterials also have the largest C emissions intensity—FFCO₂ per VKT—possibly from high traffic congestion and fleet composition. Non-interstate emissions hotspots (> 419 tC lane-km^-1) are equally dominated by arterials and collectors (the lowest road type) in terms of FFCO₂emissions though collectors have a higher VKT. These hotspots occur in densely populated areas and developed landuse classes, largely in LA (67%) and Orange (18%) counties, and provide specific targets for emissions reduction efforts. The estimated uncertainties for interstate, arterial and collector emissions per road length are ± 2.1, ± 0.5 and ± 18.0%, respectively. Our overall estimates compare reasonably well with other products, DARTE and FIVE but with substantial differences in spatial distribution. The method for developing this dataset is easily replicable in other urban landscapes, and represents a powerful tool for carbon cycle science and regional policy makers.
- Fossil fuel,
- emissions,
- carbon dioxide,
- transportation,
- on-road,
- urban,
- spatio-temporal
Citation: Preeti Rao, Kevin R. Gurney, Risa Patarasuk, Yang Song, Charles E. Miller, Riley M. Duren, Annmarie Eldering. Spatio-temporal Variations in on-road CO2 Emissions in the Los Angeles Megacity[J]. AIMS Geosciences, 2017, 3(2): 239-267. doi: 10.3934/geosci.2017.2.239

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Abstract

We quantify hourly on-road fossil fuel carbon dioxide (FFCO₂) emissions at the road segment level for the Los Angeles (LA) megacity based on observed traffic data, and characterize emission patterns across space and time. This on-road FFCO₂ emissions dataset for LA (from Hestia version 1.0), based on actual traffic volume, provides emissions per vehicle kilometer travelled (VKT)—an important metric for greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. We further identify emissions hotpots that can help state and local policy makers plan the most effective GHG reduction strategies. On-road vehicle traffic accounts for half of the FFCO₂ emissions in LA, of which 41% is from arterials (intermediate road type). Arterials also have the largest C emissions intensity—FFCO₂ per VKT—possibly from high traffic congestion and fleet composition. Non-interstate emissions hotspots (> 419 tC lane-km^-1) are equally dominated by arterials and collectors (the lowest road type) in terms of FFCO₂emissions though collectors have a higher VKT. These hotspots occur in densely populated areas and developed landuse classes, largely in LA (67%) and Orange (18%) counties, and provide specific targets for emissions reduction efforts. The estimated uncertainties for interstate, arterial and collector emissions per road length are ± 2.1, ± 0.5 and ± 18.0%, respectively. Our overall estimates compare reasonably well with other products, DARTE and FIVE but with substantial differences in spatial distribution. The method for developing this dataset is easily replicable in other urban landscapes, and represents a powerful tool for carbon cycle science and regional policy makers.

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