A hybrid simulation framework for modelling and analysing urban traffic pollution under key influencing factors

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Authors: Antonio Navas-Orozco, María-José Morón-Fernández, Fernando Díaz-del-Río, Miguel Cárdenas‐Montes, David Ragel-Díaz-Jara, José Morera-Figueroa, José-Luis Guisado-Lizar
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References: 32

Abstract

Traffic pollution in urban areas is a complex phenomenon influenced by vehicle emissions, wind patterns, and urban layouts. The framework estimates emissions from individual vehicles, including electric, petrol, and diesel types, and computes pollution levels at every position within the urban grid, enabling a detailed analysis of pollution evolution and supporting the development of effective mitigation strategies. Key advancements over existing approaches include the joint modelling of exhaust and non-exhaust emissions (such as particulate matter from tire and road wear), and a quantitative analysis of the non-linear role of wind in pollutant dispersion. We further examine urban planning strategies, showing that aligning buildings with prevailing wind directions significantly enhances pollution dispersion. Based on 16,800 large-scale simulations, the framework's statistical robustness is validated, and empirical relationships between traffic density, vehicle composition, wind effects, and pollution patterns are established, offering a scalable tool for urban environmental assessment.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Wind and Air Flow Studies Vehicle emissions and performance Air Quality and Health Impacts

Publication details

Journal / source
Urban Climate
Volume
69
Pages
103077–103077
Publication date
25 August 2026
Language
EN