Date of Graduation
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Industrial and Managements Systems Engineering
Committee Chair
Xinjian Kevin He
Committee Co-Chair
Steven Guffey
Committee Member
Michael McCawley
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of topography on the concentrations of particulate matter near heavily trafficked roadways. Particulate matter is an attractive tracer for diesel emissions and these emissions have been linked to a variety of negative health effects. Much research has been conducted to characterize particulate matter emissions near roadways, however this work has been conducted on relatively flat terrain. This study was conducted within a valley in the Appalachian Mountains to see if the alternate terrain influenced the size of the particulate matter plume near a roadway.;Particulate matter concentrations were collected and compared to results from literature. Comparisons suggest that there is indeed a connection between the mountainous terrain of the sample location and concentrations significantly different from previous comparable studies. Specifically, the concentration of particulate matter fell to background levels much slower than what was expected and the well-known association between weather inversions and increased particulate matter concentrations was not observed. It is recommended that further study be directed at this question to verify the connection between varied topography and unexpected particulate matter plume characterizations.
Recommended Citation
Epperly, Andrew D., "Effects of Topography on Near-Roadway Particulate Matter Concentrations and Diesel Emissions" (2018). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 5547.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/5547