PHD STUDENTSHIP IN REAL-WORLD VEHICLE EMISSIONS
Project title: Real-world emissions of greenhouse gases and air quality pollutants from road vehicles
Supervisors: Dr Marc Stettler ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>) and Prof Helen ApSimon (Centre for Environmental Policy)
Department: Centre for Transport Studies, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London
Start date: October 2016
Application deadline: 18th January 2016
Project details:
This project will build on an existing collaboration with Emissions Analytics (our CASE partner) in analysing real-world measurements of vehicle emissions and exceedances of prescribed emission standards for both CO2 and NOx. Real-world vehicle fuel efficiency is consistently worse than advertised to the consumer. Furthermore, real-world emissions of NOx from the newest Euro 6 diesel cars have shown high variability between different vehicle manufacturers and models. While some vehicles have been shown to meet EC standards, others have emissions that are up to 15 times the standard, with important implications for air quality and development of government policy (as highlighted by the recent VW publicity). Moreover some vehicles show a high proportion of NOx emitted as primary NO2 which is not regulated, and it is the concentrations of NO2 rather than the total NOx that are of concern for human health - a factor that is generally overlooked.
The aim of this studentship will be to explore how real-world emissions data of different vehicles collected by Emissions Analytics can be used to define and explain the variation in emissions between different vehicles and technologies, and the role of driving behaviour. The number of vehicles (over 1000) and different technologies that this studentship will have access to is unprecedented and therefore represents a significant opportunity. Emissions, engine and GPS data collected at 1 Hz captures peak emission events that occur during acceleration or steep slopes along routes. This will be used to compare to existing instantaneous vehicle emissions modelling techniques based on engine loading and develop advancements to these models. Detailed information will be gathered on emissions control technologies deployed on the different vehicles and their configuration. It is also hoped to extend this analysis to a wider range of vehicles, including new direct-injection petrol engines, hybrids and heavier vehicle classes.
Working with the Integrated Assessment Unit in the Centre for Environmental Policy the observed emissions will also be compared with those currently used in air pollution modelling. It is hoped that the emissions model developments will inform the next generation of national inventories of greenhouse gases and air quality pollutants. The effects of real-world emissions on pollutant concentrations will be explored using the UKIAM model of Imperial College applied to London for different vehicle emission scenarios.
Applications should be made directly to Dr Marc Stettler, with whom candidates can discuss the project in more detail. In addition to PhD admissions requirements of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, applicants must send a CV, covering letter and the names of two academic referees to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
Further information on the studentship and eligibility requirements can be found here:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/education/science-and-solutions-for-a-changing-planet-dtp/studentship-opportunities/
Information of PhD admissions for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department can be found here:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/civil-engineering/prospective-students/postgraduate-research-admissions-phd-engd-mphil/
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Dr Marc Stettler
Lecturer in Transport and Environment
Centre for Transport Studies | Department of Civil and Envionmental Engineering | Imperial College London
T: +44 (0) 207 594 2094 | M: +44 (0) 7725 876 509 | E: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> | W: www.imperial.ac.uk/people/m.stettler<http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/m.stettler>
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