Factors influencing particle resuspension and dispersion: An experimental study using test-track measurements

Particulate air pollution is a major environmental problem. One of the main sources of particulate matter is the circulation of vehicles on unpaved roads. On these roads, the current techniques used to limit particle flight are either expensive, environmentally harmful, or resource-intensive. Therefore, the search for inexpensive and effective methods to reduce dust emissions on unpaved roads is crucial. This study focuses on assessing the impacts of driving speed and mudflap types on particle resuspension in the wake of a passenger vehicle traveling on a dust-contaminated road. To this end, fixed and mobile measurements are taken simultaneously to assess particle dispersion after each vehicle passage. The results show that driving at 30 km/h without a mudflap is the best configuration to reduce particle resuspension, while the use of a long transverse mudflap is the worst solution. The results also show that wheels are the main source of particle emissions.