Vehicular emissions and air quality assessment in roadway tunnels: the Salim Slam tunnel

Vehicle emissions constitute a serious environmental concern particularly i n confined spaces such as tunnels and underground parking garages. These em issions are characterized with the presence of various pollutants, which, a t high concentrations, can cause adverse health effects. This paper present s an assessment of vehicle-induced emissions and air quality in a heavily t raveled tunnel located in urban metropolitan Beirut. For this purpose, comm on modeling theories were reviewed, relevant air quality standards were def ined, existing conditions were characterized, an air-sampling program was i mplemented, and mathematical modeling to simulate field measurements was co nducted. Impact significance was evaluated by comparing measured and simula ted pollutant concentrations with air quality standards. Model simulations were also used to evaluate vehicle-induced pollutant emission factors. Fina lly, mitigation measures are proposed to insure proper air quality manageme nt inside the tunnel. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.