Built Environment

(c)Transportation- (ii)Vehicular Traffic

Done by,
Shabarinath
ARC033

BA19ARC020
SHREYA
Pollution from Vehicular Traffic
 Caused by direct exhaust emissions from the
Air Pollution vehicles which release pollutants like NOx, SO2, CO2.

TYPES OF POLLUTION
Affect facades of buildings mainly by deposition

One of the major sources of noise pollution in urban

areas is vehicle traffic, which is the resultant of the
Noise Pollution vibrating body of the vehicle plus its engine
operating sound. Vibration from it affects buildings
and site

Caused indirectly by exhaust emissions like So2 &

Water Pollution NOx which mixes with rains and then comes down
causing water pollution

Caused by non-exhaust emissions like tyre,

Soil Pollution brake wear which will deposit on site
 Air pollution from Vehicular traffic
Air pollution is one of the serious environmental
concerns of the urban cities where majority of the
population is exposed to poor air quality. The rapid
urbanization in India has resulted in a tremendous
increase in the number of motor vehicles. As the
number of vehicles continues to grow and the
consequent congestion increases, vehicles are now
becoming the main source of air pollution in India.
Automotive vehicles emit several
pollutants depending upon the quality of
the fuel they consume and engine
efficiency. The release of pollutants from
vehicles also include fugitive emissions
of the fuel and the source and level of
these emissions depending upon the
vehicle type, its maintenance, etc.
While the predominant pollutants in
petrol/gasoline driven vehicles are
hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide,
the predominant pollutants from the
diesel based vehicles are Oxides of
nitrogen and particulates.
India
Annual PM emissions from vehicular traffic
Source- OECD
Those with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10) are inhalable into the lungs and can induce
adverse health effects. Fine particulate matter is defined as particles that are 2.5 microns or less
in diameter (PM2. 5). Therefore, PM2. 5 comprises a portion of PM10.
Source-
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio
n/337947585_Carbon_Dioxide_Capture_Fr
om_Internal_Combustion_Engine_Exhaust
_Using_Temperature_Swing_Adsorption
High traffic situations, such as traffic jams or cars waiting at traffic lights, result in increased
particulate concentrations (+47% and +35%, respectively).

Cycling in residential neighborhoods decreased particulate number concentrations by 17% relative to

the ambient average level, and by 22% when cycling through green spaces or parks

Source- Air pollution at human scales in an urban environment: Impact of local environment
and vehicles on particle number concentrations (2019)
Damage caused
The damage due to vehicular pollution on materials is really a serious concern since the
service life of buildings is remarkably reduced. It is true that the intensity of manmade
pollutants on building degradation is more than the impact of natural pollutants. Most
importantly the effects of soiling, degradation, corrosion and erosion caused by So2 are very
much serious.

The effect of air pollution on materials

may be seen in terms of
1. Discoloration
2. Material loss
3. Structural failing
4. Soiling
● Both discoloration and structural failure due to air pollution on buildings
may be insignificant and that may not involve huge coasts.
● But the effect of corrosion due to acidic deposition costs a lot. Especially
the effect of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions is very much
significant.
● The effect of calcium sulphate has been very significant and may be
continued for fairly long time. When calcium carbonate dissolves in
sulphuric acid leads to the formation of calcium sulphate. The calcium
sulphate when it falls on stone breaks the surface of the building blocks
 Effect of Vehicular emissions on buildings

Source-
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286347487_Detrimental_effect_of_Air_pollution_Corrosion
_on_Building_Materials_and_Historical_Structures
● Elevated concentrations are typically found within several hundred meters of high traffic roads, where
atmospheric dispersion has not sufficiently diluted pollutants.
● Tall buildings next to roads reduce dispersion, thereby creating pollutant hot spots and increasing exposure
to vehicle emissions for city residents.
● Lower building height around the road results in a lower population exposure, as it is easier for pollutants
to get out of the street canyon
CASE STUDY- 1. TAJ MAHAL, Agra
US pres Bill Clinton made an interesting statement that
pollution had done “what 350 years of wars, invasions and
natural disasters have failed to do and begun to mar the
magnificent walls of the Taj Mahal”

The increased vehicular emissions caused by an increased influx of tourists to

see Taj mahal had a significant effect on Taj mahal.

1. Direct deposit of pollutants

2. Acid rain- caused by SO2 & NO particles from vehicular emissions that
combine with the rain’s moist components.
Source-
https://home.iitk.ac.in/~snt/pdf/Bergin_EST_2015.pdf
Measures taken-
● Petrol, diesel vehicles
banned within 500 metres of
Taj Mahal as a way to curb
this discolouration
● Only Electric & CNG Vehicles
allowed in this zone
● Mud plastering over the
marble to retain its original
colour
 2. Lotus temple, Delhi 3. Golden temple, Amritsar

The Baha'i House of Worship in has been slowly turning grey, A joint study carried out by the Indian Institute of Technology
and the slight yellow discolouration on the marble, and the - Delhi and the Punjab Pollution Control Board showed that
National Green Tribunal says it is the heavy traffic in Nehru vehicular and industrial emissions were stealing the bright
Place adjacent to it which is causing this discolouration golden shine away from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
4. Charminar, hyderabad
● It has been proved by several studies
that the high vehicular pollution is
corroding the granite and lime mortar
structure of Charminar, primarily due to
the SO2 & NOx emissions from vehicles
● The lime plaster is deteriorating due to
pollution. Lime reacts with chemicals in
atmosphere and loses its binding
property.
● Lime usually has a life of 800 years, but
when exposed to such chemicals and
pollution, it falls of quickly
SOLUTIONS?
Mud pack treatment

Application of
mud packs on
buildings to
mitigate the
discolouration
on surface
● The process is modelled on a
traditional beauty cleansing
treatment with 'Multani mitti' (Fuller's
earth)
● As part of the treatment for the
monument, the lime-rich clay will be
plastered over affected areas of the
monument and left overnight. As the
mud will begin to dry, it will be
washed off hopefully with the grime
that coats the monument.
● The surface is covered with a 2-mm
thick layer of Fuller's earth and when
it dries the flakes are removed from
the surface with soft nylon brushes
and washed with distilled water to
remove impurities sticking to the
surface
Preventing construction of tall
buildings on road side
This can lead to concentration
of pollutants in that area
Zone residential zones &
heritage buildings outside of
the traffic zones
Green walls & barriers
● Green infrastructure can play a significant role in mitigating urban air pollution.
● Low-level hedges improves air quality in street canyons unlike high-level trees.
● Green walls and roofs are effective to reduce pollution in streets/open roads.
Roadside barriers enhance dispersion of roadway emissions and thus can be used to
mitigate elevated concentrations next to large roads.
Source- Air pollution abatement performances of green infrastructure in open road
and built-up street canyon environments – A review
Switch to greener transport modes, rely more on
public transport than individual vehicle
 Abatement of Non-Exhaust Emissions of PM
1. Brake-source particulate matter 2. Tyre-source particulate matter

A.Reducing the formation of particles B. Trapping the particles after formation

Modified tyre contact Air filters around vehicle

rubber formulations, bodies and on the side of
break disks are used the streets to trap the
which reduce wear particles
and tear

C. Street sweeping/washing D. Dust suppressants

Dust suppressants are chemicals that are

applied to a road surface to reduce
resuspension & allow it to remain wet
than an untreated surface eg-calcium
magnesium acetate (CMA) and MgCl2.