the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Description and validation of VERT 1.0, an R-based framework for estimating road transport emissions from traffic flows
Abstract. VERT is an R package developed to estimate traffic emissions of a wide range of pollutants and greenhouse gases based on traffic estimates and vehicle fleet composition data, following the EMEP/EEA methodology. Compared to other tools available in the literature, VERT is characterised by ease of use and rapid configuration, while maintaining great flexibility in user input. In this paper, case studies conducted at both urban and regional scales demonstrate VERT's ability to accurately assess transport emissions. In an urban setting, VERT is integrated with the Lagrangian dispersion model GRAMM-GRAL and provides NOx concentrations in line with observed trends at monitoring stations, especially near traffic hotspots. On a regional scale, VERT simulations provide emission estimates that are highly consistent with the reference inventories for the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy). These findings make VERT a valuable tool for air quality management and traffic emission scenarios assessment.
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Status: open (until 03 Jun 2024)
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-636', Anonymous Referee #1, 22 Apr 2024
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The paper presents VERT, an R package to estimate traffic emissions following the EMEP/EEA methodology. The article is well organized showing some practical applications of the package. In general, I would like to suggest also to include specific section or comments regarding the foreseen calculation time and efforts also in relation to the resolution of the estimates.
Referring the line number of the preprint, please find here some specific comments:
Line 41 – the non-exhaust and resuspension emissions are treated in VERT. I suggest adding specific comments also in this abstract on traffic emissions.
Line 136 – please add in text or refer how the vehicle speed is calculated.
Line 435 – The authors try to explain the calculation differences between VERT and similar software:
“Differences can be identified in the aggregation of vehicle classes of the fleet composition and the way this data is used in the calculation. INEMAR uses the total number of registered vehicles in the region (ACI, 2023) and assumes that these vehicles travel on the reference road network according to the flows simulated by PTV VISUM. Emissions are then calculated on the basis of vehicle 440 movements. Conversely, VERT uses a percentage fleet composition to estimate an average EF for each vehicle category of the simulated flows. The reference EF are then multiplied by the simulated flows to obtain the final emissions. In addition, the fleet composition processed by INEMAR is not normalised by actual kilometres travelled by vehicle category.”
These comments are not clear. To support the analysis, it will be useful reporting a synoptic table resuming all the main hypothesis between the two model on all the input variables, also specifying e.g. if the road network, main fluxes and fleet composition are the same and how they are treated by the models.
It will be useful also adding some comments on the road network resolution; are all the streets treated by the model? If not, is it possible to propose how estimating emissions on all the roads?
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-636-RC1
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