Traffic emissions in Russia and the Baltic states

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a recently completed study calculating the exhaust gas emissions of traffic in some parts of Russia and in the Baltic states.
This is the first time that the calculation of traffic emissions in these areas has been based on actual knowledge of specific emissions rather than on norms. There are many problems concerning the availability and reliability of source material. The study dealt with seven compounds: CO, HC, NOx, TPM, SO₂, Pb and CO₂. Five traffic modes were studied: road, railway, air, maritime and inland-waterway traffic. Emissions were calculated using mileage, cycles, fuel consumption and specific emissions. The paper presents the total amounts of emissions in metric tonnes. The condition of the Russian transport vehicle stock and transport network is poor, and thus strongly affects the emissions. There has been a considerable decrease in total emissions due to problems in the political and economic situation. A rapid change in the vehicle stock through greatly increased vehicle imports will lower specific emissions. Total emissions will, however, increase, because mileage will increase owing to growth in the national economy and changes in the transport distribution.