Novel high-resolution spatial mapping of health and climate emissions from urban transport in São Paulo megacity (NOTS)

• Grant number: 18/10714-4
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2018 - October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Cooperation agreement: University of Surrey
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Jose Perez-Martinez
• Grantee: Pedro Jose Perez-Martinez
• Principal investigator abroad: Prashant Kumar
• Institution abroad: University of Surrey, England
• Home Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Maria de Fátima Andrade ; Regina Maura de Miranda

Abstract

Traffic-related atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and toxic air pollutants (APs) are a serious environmental problem that affects climate change and air quality in megacities. About 80% of air pollution in São Paulo comes from vehicles. This project aims to develop a metholodology using a three-dimensional model (TransCAD) for GHG and AP inventories of vehicular emissions and demonstrate its applicability to a megacity (Sao Paulo) as a part of Regional Air Quality and Climate Changes (RAQCM). These high-resolution emission inventories will also allow identifying hot spots of air pollution and poor air quality with a spatial resolution of 0.5km and temporal resolution of 1h. We also aim to develop an approach for the validation of the emission model via low-cost sensors measurements. These sensors will be placed through the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo close to the identified vehicle emission hot spots to continuously measure over one year duration to address a novel question on how the low cost sensors data can be applied for improving the model performance and air quality monitoring. This proposal integrates two approaches: the vehicle emission and air quality modeling and the use of low cost sensors for model validation and develop novel approaches for high-resolution spatial mapping. This work will provide a basis for establishing sound climate change policies in other areas such as public health and urban planning. (AU)