Researchers Assessed the Effectiveness of Traffic Control Measures for the Asian Games, with the Enforcement of These Measures Utilizing Cameras, Ultrasonic, and Microwave Sensors.
Guangzhou, China
Impacts of Temporary Traffic Control Measures on Vehicular Emissions During the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China
Summary Information
To facilitate a smooth traffic and desirable level of air quality during the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, the government carried out two traffic control drills prior to the games in July 2010 and September 2010, respectively, to explore the best traffic control measures to implement during the games. Given this, the researchers observed the vehicular traffic patterns before and during the first and second drills, as well as during the games in November 2010, to understand the impacts of adopted control measures on traffic volumes and driving characteristics. In addition, emission reduction due to the chosen traffic control measures was evaluated using the MOBILE-China emissions model.
METHODOLOGY
In this study, the two traffic control measures evaluated included prohibiting vehicles without a “Green Label” (a pass used to screen high-emitting vehicles) to drive in Guangzhou administrative district, and restricting vehicle traffic based on odd/even ending number in license plates, between 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., and 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., respectively, during the first drill, the second drill, and during the games. Specifically, the five analysis periods considered were 10–13 July (before the first drill), 17–20 July (during the first drill), 4–7 September (before the second drill), 11–14 September (during the second drill), and 13–16 November (during the Asian Games). Hourly traffic volumes were monitored using a video surveillance system installed on 17 roads. Data related to the driving patterns was obtained using a car-chasing technique employing professional drivers to follow the vehicles in traffic on pre-defined routes of 42 km in length and using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to record the vehicle speed second by second. More than 10,000 detection devices including cameras and ultrasonic and microwave scanners were installed to catch anyone not obeying the rules, who would be fined 100 yuan ($15). The emissions were calculated using the MOBILE-China model and evaluated by four emission factors, carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns (PM10).
FINDINGS
Vehicular emission reduction during the first drill, second drill and the Asian Games compared with those before the games is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Vehicular emission reduction during the first drill, second drill and the Asian Games compared with those before the games.
| CO | HC | NOx | PM10 | |
| First drill | -50% | -52% | -38% | -43% |
| Second drill | -28% | -32% | -28% | -36% |
| During the Asian Games | -42% | -46% | -26% | -30% |
- As for the traffic composition during the first drill compared with that of before the first drill, the mode share of cars decreased by nine percentage points, from 49 to 40 percent, whereas the mode share rates of taxis and buses increased to some extent.
- Considering the traffic composition during the second drill compared with that of before the second drill, the mode share of cars decreased by three percentage points, from 45 to 42 percent, and the mode share of taxis and buses increased.
- Regarding the traffic composition during the games compared with that of before the games, the mode share of cars decreased by six percentage points, while the mode share of taxis and buses increased by seven percentage points and three percentage points, respectively.
- The results also showed that the average speed during the first drill increased by about 28 percent compared with that before the first drill and reached 36.5 km/hr (22.7 mi/h). For the second drill, the average speed increased by about 11 percent compared with that before the second drill and reached 32.5 km/hr (20.2 mi/h). Finally, the average speed during the games increased by about 23 percent compared with that before the games, reaching 35.7 km/hr (22.2 m/hr).
