Toward Distribution Patterns Inside Symmetric and Asymmetric Street Canyons: Experimental Study
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 7
Abstract
Distribution patterns of particulate matter 2.5 () inside urban street canyons varies according to the street canyon enclosure ratio (SCER) and traffic flow states, and therefore they affect people in different positions of street canyons to different extents. This paper studied distribution patterns in both symmetric and asymmetric street canyons by using the computational fluid dynamics technique. Simulation experiments were conducted in a series of isolated street canyons in Beijing with five SCERs and three types of traffic flow states. The results of the simulation experiments were verified with on-site data. The results are threefold: (1) emitted by the vehicles gathers around the corners of leeward buildings of street canyons, and this phenomenon tends to be aggravated by heavy traffic flow states in most scenarios; (2) of five SCERs, it was the most difficult for to spread out of the canyons with SCER = 2:1:2, whereas it was the easiest for to spread out of the canyons with SCER = 2:2:1; and (3) pedestrians and residents on the leeward side of asymmetric street canyons are exposed to the highest concentration. The findings of this research will assist in designing street canyons, controlling the traffic flow, and developing measures to reduce the harm of to the public.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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History
Received: Aug 26, 2020
Accepted: Mar 1, 2021
Published online: May 6, 2021
Published in print: Jul 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Oct 6, 2021
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