Spatial and temporal variations of air pollutants from motor vehicles using MOVES software: case study of Beheshti and Modarres boulevards in Rasht

Background and Objective: Since mobile resources are the most important sources of air pollution in the metropolis of Rasht and due to the importance of air pollution in wet weather condition in Rasht, this research was carried out in a specific area to determine the pattern governing the change in the monthly emissions of pollutants on a small scale, using the results obtained from that area. Materials and Methods: In this study, the amount of air pollutants was estimated on a small scale by continuous monitoring of traffic throughout the year (four days per month and six hours per day) and using MOVES software. Results: The maximum annual average emissions of CO and NOx in the study area were 15.76 (between Gas and Razi squares) and 2 (between Imam Hossein Square and Nirou Daryaee square) g/(m.hr), respectively. In addition, the results showed that the average monthly emission of NOX throughout the year in each of the sections was constant and the average monthly emission of CO in the first half and the second half of the year was constant, and its value in the first half was higher than that in the second half. Conclusion: Hourly distribution of CO emission in different months was affected by events and, in general, the pattern of people's life styles. But the hourly distribution for NOX was roughly constant throughout the year. Also, according to the results, with a single measurement (for CO) and twice measurement (for NOX) of traffic instead of monthly measurements, the pollutant emission estimation in other parts of the city was possible with an acceptable accuracy. Because the generalization of the method used in this study to estimate the emission of pollutants in all roads of the city is not reasonable and cost-effective.