Pedestrian Exposure to Fine Particulates in Heavily-trafficked Microenvironments
This paper reports on a monitoring campaign to evaluate pedestrian exposure to PM2.5 on a busy mixed-use roadway in Sydney. Data were collected using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, PM2.5 monitor, and a voice-recorder to study the variability in PM2.5 at a micro-scale. Traffic and weather data contiguous with the data collection times were also acquired. In all 39 walking trips were completed covering morning, lunch-time and evening periods with and against the traffic. Overall, PM2.5 levels were well below advisable standards for most of the time. Statistical analysis showed that a 5 km/h increase in wind speed was associated with a 15 percent decrease in PM2.5 levels, while each additional 500 vehicles was associated with a 35 percent increase in PM2.5 levels. Several 'hotspots' were also identified where levels were substantially higher, including bus stops, truck activity and other pedestrians smoking.
Keywords: pedestrian exposure, GPS, transport microenvironment, PM2.5.