published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

The air quality of Hong Kong (HK), especially at the street level, has been a matter of grave public concern. In 2007, road transport was reportedly the major source for emission of carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable suspended particulates (RSP), as well as the second largest source for emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The Government has taken various measures to curb roadside pollution. Recent technological breakthroughs in electric vehicles (EVs) have regenerated the Government's interest in promoting the wider use ofEVs. The main objectives ofthis paper are to examine whether road transport-related measures adopted by the Government have been effective in coping with the air pollution problem and whether the EV policy would improve the air quality ofHK. The Government has taken a more proactive approach, since 1999, in dealing with roadside pollution problems. The emission of all major air pollutants from road transport against the continuous growth in the numbers of vehicles and vehicle kilometers travelled reduced significantly between 1994 and 2007. The reduction of S02, RSP and CO in this time period was 95%, 70% and 59% respectively. Nonetheless, air pollution in HK remams an unresolved problem as reflected by continuous rising trends in the hours with poor visibility, days with roadside Air Pollution Index exceeding 100, and concentration of some air pollutants exceeding the Air Quality Objectives. EVs have zero tailpipe emission but its potential in improving the air quality has been skeptical because part of the emission may be transferred to the power plants. Through quantitative analysis, it was found that if all vehicles in HK were converted to EVs, the overall emission of NOx, RSP, CO and VOC would reduce by 77.3%, 89.9%, 99.4% and 99.4% respectively but that of S02 would suffer a regrettable 13.5-fold increase. It was concluded that the wider use of EVs should be beneficial to the air quality of HK but the potential benefits would depend on the number of vehicles to be converted and simultaneous measures to cut S02 emission at the power sources. A qualitative analysis was made on factors affecting the change of vehicles to EVs. It was found that consumer decisions on EV purchases are likely influenced by availability, choice of models, driving range, reliability, whole life costing, and adequacy of infra structural support. The use of greener fuel and surplus electricity generation capacity as a means to reduce emissions from power plants were also explored. The paper concludes by making recommendations to encourage use of EVs and to maximize its potential benefits. It is expected that the Goverrunent will play an important role in implementing EV-related policies and prioritizing measures to reap immediate benefits. / published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / abstract / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

by Shu Keung Choi. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-150). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.ix / LIST OF PLATES --- p.xi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xii / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Concerns on Current Air Quality Modeling Process --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Objective --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Rationale --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- System Overview --- p.4 / Chapter 1.5 --- Questions --- p.6 / Chapter 1.6 --- Thesis Organization --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Geographic Information System --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Data Assimilation --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Data Representation --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Data Format --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Data Alignment --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Modeling Support --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3 --- Environmental Modeling --- p.12 / Chapter 2.4 --- Integration of GIS and Environmental Modeling --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- The Need for Integration --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Forms of Integration --- p.17 / Chapter 2.5 --- Air Quality Modeling --- p.20 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Classes of Models --- p.21 / Chapter 2.5.1.1 --- Classification by Spatial Scale --- p.21 / Chapter 2.5.1.2 --- Classification by Modeling Approach --- p.22 / Chapter 2.6 --- Gaussian Plume Models --- p.24 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Formulation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Determination of σy and σz --- p.25 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- The Stability Classification --- p.26 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- Estimation of σy and σz --- p.27 / Chapter 2.6.5 --- Assumptions in the Gaussian Model --- p.30 / Chapter 2.7 --- Air Quality Model Evaluation --- p.31 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Model Uncertainties --- p.31 / Chapter 2.7.1.1 --- Inherent Uncertainty --- p.31 / Chapter 2.7.1.2 --- Reducible Uncertainty Errors --- p.33 / Chapter 2.7.1.2.1 --- Meteorological Data Errors --- p.33 / Chapter 2.7.1.2.2 --- Emission Data Errors --- p.34 / Chapter 2.7.1.2.3 --- Model Errors --- p.34 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Operational Performance Evaluation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.7.2.1 --- Woods Hole Performance Measures --- p.36 / Chapter 2.7.2.2 --- Fractional Bias and Fractional Scatter --- p.38 / Chapter 2.7.2.3 --- Measuring the Normalized Ratios --- p.39 / Chapter 2.7.2.4 --- Combination of Statistical Measures --- p.40 / Chapter 2.8 --- Visualization --- p.43 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Visualization Software Framework --- p.43 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- GIS and Visualization --- p.46 / Chapter 2.9 --- Conclusion --- p.47 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- SYSTEM DESIGN --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1 --- System Overview --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2 --- Supported Models --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- System Software Platforms --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- ARC/INFO --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Overview --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- The Role in the System --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Advanced Visualization System (AVS) --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Overview --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- The Role in the System --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4 --- System Requirements and Specification --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Notation --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Data Preprocessing --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Data Postprocessing --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Model Performance Evaluation --- p.68 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Visualization --- p.74 / Chapter 3.4.5.1 --- Reading ARC/INFO Data --- p.74 / Chapter 3.4.5.2 --- Applying Visualization Techniques --- p.77 / Chapter 3.4.5.2.1 --- Surface Mesh --- p.77 / Chapter 3.4.5.2.2 --- Multi-window Approach --- p.79 / Chapter 3.5 --- Data File Format --- p.85 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- A TEST CASE --- p.92 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2 --- Test Case Components --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Study Area --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Source Data --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Air Quality Model - MPTER --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Meteorological Data Preprocessor - RAMMET --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3 --- Executing the Test Case --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Main Menu --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Viewing the study area --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Data Preprocessing --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3.3.1 --- Define Data Mapper --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3.3.2 --- Execute Data Preprocessor --- p.101 / Chapter 4.3.3.3 --- Meteorological Data Preprocessing --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3.3.4 --- Model Input File Editing --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3.3.5 --- Discussions --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Model Execution --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Data Postprocessing --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3.5.1 --- Import Model Result to GIS --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.5.2 --- Iso-line of Concentration Map --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.5.3 --- Discussions --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Model Performance Evaluation --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.6.1 --- Program Execution --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3.6.2 --- Discussions --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Visualization --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.7.1 --- Surface Mesh --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.7.2 --- Multi-window Approach for 4D Data set --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3.7.2.1 --- Overview --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3.7.2.2 --- Overall Controls and Relations between Viewers --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3.7.2.3 --- Independent Controls within Each Viewers --- p.122 / Chapter 4.3.7.2.4 --- "The x,y,z-volume Viewer" --- p.123 / Chapter 4.3.7.2.5 --- "x,y,t-volume in ViewerZ" --- p.128 / Chapter 4.3.7.2.6 --- Other Viewers --- p.132 / Chapter 4.3.7.3 --- Discussions --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.137 / Chapter CHAPTER 5. --- CONCLUSION --- p.138 / Chapter 5.1 --- System Design Summary --- p.138 / Chapter 5.2 --- Summary of the Functions --- p.139 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Data Preprocessing --- p.139 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Data Postprocessing --- p.140 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Model Evaluation --- p.140 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Visualization --- p.141 / Chapter 5.3 --- Further Research --- p.143 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.145

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Kam Wai-ming. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-162). / Abstracts in English and Chinese ; questionnaire in Chinese. / List of Tables --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xiii / List of Abbreviation --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Research Problems --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Study Area --- p.4 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the Study --- p.8 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of Thesis --- p.9 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Literature Review --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1 --- Pedestrianization: Basic Ideas and History --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Definition of Pedestrianization --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Motivation of pedestrianization --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Learning from the Development of Pedestrianization in Other Cities --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Impacts of Pedestrianization on Environment --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Pedestrianization in Hong Kong --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Development --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Ways for Successful Pedestrianization in Hong Kong --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3 --- Human Perception and Response on Air Pollution and Pedestrianization --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Introduction of Human Perception --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Human Perception of Air Pollution --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Changes of Human Perception in Response to the Changes of Environmental Quality After Pedestrianization --- p.31 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Methodology --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1 --- Research Design --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2 --- BACIPR Approach --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3 --- Objective Assessment of the influence of pedestrianization on air quality --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Model Prediction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Physical Measurement of Particulates --- p.46 / Chapter 3.4 --- Subjective Assessment: Human Perception of Roadside Air Pollution --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Guidelines Used for Subjective Assessment --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Development of the Questionnaire --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Model Simulation of the Effect of Pedestrianization on Air Quality --- p.61 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2 --- Air Quality in Causeway Bay Before Pedestrianization --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Overall Spatial Variation of Air Quality --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Respiratory Suspended Particulate (RSP) --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Nitrogen Dioxide (N02) --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Carbon Monoxide (CO) --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3 --- Air Quality in Causeway Bay After Pedestrianization --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Overall Spatial Variation of Air Quality --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Respiratory Suspended Particulate (RSP) --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Nitrogen Dioxide (N02) --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Carbon Monoxide (CO) --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Effect of Government's Pedestrianization Scheme in Improving Air Quality --- p.77 / Chapter 4.4 --- Air Quality Impact of Pedestrianization in Single Street --- p.77 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- RSP Concentration in Russell Street Section Before Pedestrianization --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- RSP Concentration in Russell Street Section After Pedestrianization --- p.81 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter Five --- Measurement of Particulate Pollution in Causeway Bay --- p.84 / Chapter 5.1 --- Change in Particulate Pollution After Pedestrianization in Russell Street --- p.86 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Overall Changes in Particulate Pollution after Pedestrianization --- p.86 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Changes in Particulate Pollution after Pedestrianization under Different Weather Conditions --- p.87 / Chapter 5.1.2.1 --- Effects of Pedestrianization on Fine Day --- p.88 / Chapter 5.1.2.2 --- Effects of Pedestrianization on Rainy Days --- p.89 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Changes of Particulate Pollution after Pedestrianization under Different Traffic Flow Conditions --- p.90 / Chapter 5.1.3.1 --- Effects of Pedestrianization during Peak Hours --- p.91 / Chapter 5.1.3.2 --- Effects of Pedestrianization during Non-Peak Hours --- p.92 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Changes in Particulate Pollution As a result of Pedestrianization on Different Days of the Week --- p.93 / Chapter 5.1.4.1 --- Effects of Pedestrianization on Weekdays --- p.94 / Chapter 5.1.4.2 --- Effects of Pedestrianization on Non-Weekdays --- p.94 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Change in PM 10 I/C ratio After Pedestrianization --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2 --- Variations in Particulate Pollution Characteristics Due to Different Pedestrianization Street Designs --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- General Contrasts between an Open and Semi-enclosed Street --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Seasonal Effect on Particulate Pollution in Jardine's Crescent and in Its Control Street --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Climatic Effects on Particulate Pollution --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Effects of Traffic Conditions on Particulate Pollution Pattern in Jardine's Crescent and in Its Control Street --- p.102 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Effects of Day of the Week on Particulate Pollution --- p.104 / Chapter 5.3 --- The Variation of Particulate Pollution in Causeway Bay --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Spatial Variation --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Seasonal Variation --- p.108 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Rain as a Cleaning Agent --- p.111 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.112 / Chapter Chapter Six --- Pedestrianization and Perception of Air Quality --- p.113 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2 --- Effect of Pedestrianization in Improving the Perceived Air Quality --- p.115 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Overall Changes of PAQ after Pedestrianization --- p.115 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Changes in Perceived Air Quality As a Result of Pedestrianization --- p.118 / Chapter 6.2.2.1 --- Correlation between PAQ and AQ --- p.118 / Chapter 6.2.2.2 --- Difference in Dose-Response Relationships before and after Pedestrianization --- p.120 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Summary of Findings on Human Perception --- p.136 / Chapter 6.3 --- Aspects of Pedestrianization Which Improve Perceived Air Quality --- p.136 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Behavior Constraint Model --- p.137 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Environmental Stress Model --- p.139 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Perception of Air Pollution Through Smell and Vision --- p.141 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.144 / Chapter Chapter Seven --- Conclusion --- p.146 / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of Findings --- p.146 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Model Simulated Air Pollution Levels in Causeway Bay and Possible Effects of the Government Pedestrianization Scheme --- p.147 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- Changes in the Pattern and Characteristics of Particulate Pollution after Pedestrianization --- p.148 / Chapter 7.1.3 --- Effects of Pedestrianization on Human Perception of Air Quality --- p.149 / Chapter 7.2 --- Discussion of Findings --- p.151 / References --- p.153 / Appendix A --- p.163