Development of a Methodology to Evaluate the Impacts of Public Transport Bus Emissions Using Biodiesel as a Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Fuels

This book chapter provides insights into the development of a methodology to evaluate the role of geographic information systems (GIS) and AERMOD software in understanding the impacts of biodiesel as a sustainable alternative fuel for use in public transportation buses at a microscopic level in the City of Toledo and Sylvania Township areas in the State of Ohio, USA. The methodology discussed in this book chapter is comprised of a multi-pronged step-by-step approach that included: (i) implementation of a real-world exhaust emission field monitoring study, (ii) use of ArcGIS software in examining study area features that included identification of the salient features (e.g., schools, churches, hospitals) within a certain vicinity radius of the exhaust emission field monitoring study, (iii) use of AERMOD dispersion air quality model in ranking the most affected salient features (identified with ArcGIS) based on the regulatory dispersion modeling of exhaust emissions from public transportation systems operating on biodiesel, and (iv) estimation of a quantified reduction in exhaust emissions with use of biodiesel as a sustainable alternative fuel to conventional fuel in public transportation buses on the basis of existing literature. This book chapter presents a comprehensive assessment of the adopted methodology and discusses in detail on how GIS and AERMOD software may be used by environmental students, engineers, and scientists in understanding the impacts of biodiesel as a sustainable alternative fuel for use in public transportation buses with emphasis on the exhaust emissions of CO, NOx, and SO2.

Keywords: AERMET, AERMOD, Alternative fuels, ArcGIS, Biodiesel, Exhaust emissions, Geographic information systems, Mobile source dispersion modeling, Public transportation buses, Sustainability.