Reducing Motorcyclistʼs Exposure to Particulate Matters and Carbon Monoxide by Designating Buslanes in Taipei

Abstract

P-587 Introduction: This study is designed to evaluate whether traffic lanes re-arrangements can reduce motorcyclist's exposures to different sizes of particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO). Methods: On-motorcycle concentrations of PM1.0, PM1.0–2.5, PM2.5–10, PM10, and CO on two 8-lane without buslane routes and another two 8-lane with 2-buslanes routes. For each route, we had measured the concentrations at 6:45, 7:30, 16:20, and 17:30, separately. The measurements were made during weekdays from January to April 2005 in Taipei. We used GRIMME Dust Monitor to measure PM with four size ranges and Draeger Miniwarn to measure CO continuously. We also used videos to record events related to significant changes on-motorcycle concentrations, such as idle time at traffic light. Motorcyclists’ exposures to PM and CO on routes with buslane and those without buslane were compared by ANOVA test. Motorcyclist's yearly exposures to PM and CO were calculated by combining the measured concentrations, commuting time and motorcyclists’ ventilation rates. Results: The average concentrations of PM1.0, PM1.0–2.5, PM2.5–10, PM10 were 109.5, 43.9, 20.5, 45.1 μg/m3, and CO was 9.2 ppm on routes without buslane. Notably, the concentrations on routes with buslane were relatively lower, 51.8, 17.4, 8.6, and 25.8 μg/m3 for PM1.0, PM1.0–2.5, PM2.5–10, and PM10, and 4.8 ppm for CO. In addition, the concentrations of PM and CO were higher while moving than while stopping at the traffic lights. Discussion and Conclusion: The established buslanes on the roads would increase the distance from emission sources of buses to the motorcyclists. As a result, the policy of designating buslanes has reduced motorcyclists’ exposures to PM and CO.