SIM-air Working Paper Series

The documents under this series are free to download. However, please cite appropriately. Feedback and suggestions are welcome. The analysis and reviews expressed in these papers are entirely those of the author(s).
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	Description
	SIM 33-2010: Electronic Road Pricing: Experience and Lessons from Singapore Singapore is the first city in the world to implement electronic road pricing (ERP) in September 1998. The ERP or congestion pricing system was successful for one important reason - the city operates a widely accessible public transport system (road and rail) which can support the shift to car-free transport. Given the current traffic demand trends, the ERP is a measure that many Asian cities will be forced to consider as traffic conditions become more acute. This paper (with Prof. Gopnath Menon) presents an overview of how ERP was implemented in, experiences and lessons from, Singapore.
	SIM 32-2010: Estimated Air Pollution & Health Benefits of Metro System in Delhi, India The impact of air pollution on the human health and the ecosystem is increasingly been linked to the growing transport sector. A major intervention that Delhi is counting on is the extension of the metro rail system, to shift the motorized transport trends to the metro rail. The expected level of shift is uncertain, which depends on a number of factors. A prelimiary analysis was conducted in 2008 and this paper extends the analysis to estimate the potential air pollution and health exposure benefits under multiple scenarios of traffic patterns in Delhi.
	SIM 31-2010: Role of Meteorology on Urban Air Pollution Dispersion: A 20yr Analysis for Delhi, India Question: How can we assess the seasonality in air pollution? Is there a variation in meteorology which is affecting the measured air pollution levels? In order to assess the role of meteorology as a diffusing or non-diffusing agent, this paper presents a 20 year analysis. The city of Delhi, India, was considered for pilot analysis. Irrespective of constant emissions over each month, the observed concentrations are 40% to 80% higher in the winter months and 10% to 60% lower in the summer months, when compared to the annual average tracer concentrations (20yr animation).The study will be extended to 10 more cities in 2010.
	SIM 30-2009: Simplified Atmospheric Transport Modeling System (ATMoS-4.0) for the SIM-air Tool In the SIM-air tool, all the calculations, including the conversion of emissions to concentrations, are conducted in Excel, using the source-receptor transfer matrix. The transfer matrix, which enables the conversion of emissions to concentrations, is based on a dispersion model, which is not included the Excel analytical tool. This part of the calculations (generating the matrix) is conducted outside the SIM-air tool and then transferred into Excel to enable further analysis to health impacts and optimization. This paper describes a simplified dispersion model ATMoS-4.0 to generate the transfer matrix using minimum data inputs for direct use in SIM-air for urban applications.
	SIM 29-2009: Monitoring & Mapping Urban Air Pollution: A One Day Experiment in Delhi, India If managing the air pollution for better health is our primary goal, we should monitor what we want to manage. This paper presents a proposal to monitor particulate pollution cheaply and effectively and a methodology to map the pollution over city for understanding the hot spots and studying exposure levels. The pilot study was conducted in Delhi, India on October 3rd, 2009 (animated route) along with Mr. Joshua Apte, Univ. of California, Berkeley.
	SIM 28-2009: Measuring Autorickshaw Emissions to Inform Air Quality Policy This paper describes the methodology (recruiting, facilities, instruments, and sampling) used in an emissions testing campaign followed by detailed characterization of particulate matter (PM) emitted by “real-world” auto-rickshaws. The measurement campaign was conducted in the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, in September 2009, by researchers from the University of British Columbia, Canada. Results from the survey and filter analysis will be published in journal papers in 2010. Also see Vehicular Air Pollution Information System for tools and emission factor resources.
	SIM 27-2009: Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution in India in 2007 This paper presents a review of Particulate (PM) pollution in India based on monitoring data published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for 2007 and presented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of Government of India to the Lok Sabha Parliament in February 2009. Document is available @ Indian Environment Portal. In this paper, a visual correlation between the pollution measured across India is discussed along with various indicators ranging from energy to emissions.
	SIM 26-2009: What is the Role of Air Pollution Modeling in Policy Support? This paper discusses four questions (1) Why use models for policy analysis? (2) How does the world see the progress in air quality parameters? (3) How to utilize the air quality forecast models for policy support? and (4) what are the common misconceptions in policy making via modeling? and presents links to "Air Quality Index" for cities across the world and schematics of forecast models.
	SIM 25-2009: Photochemistry of Air Pollution in Delhi, India: A Monitoring Based Analysis The monitoring data from the ITO station in Delhi, India, is analyzed to explain the observed trends in the criteria pollutants, PM2.5, NOx, CO, and Ozone. The photochemical formation of Ozone, inclduing the seasonal and diurnal cycles, influence of NOx-VOC chemistry and policy implications of further controls is discussed in this paper.
	SIM 24-2009: Motorized Passenger Travel in Urban India: Emissions & Co-benefits Analysis This paper presents the emissions analysis of the motorized “in-city” passenger travel from twenty cities in India, covering the current trends in four modes of transport (passenger cars, motorcycles, 3 wheelers, and buses), estimated energy consumption for the assumed growth patterns, and possible co-benefits of three combined scenarios (public transport, policy reforms, and non-motorized transport). The cities included this analysis are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kanpur, Agra, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jaipur, Surat, Pondicherry, Bhubaneswar, Panaji, Patna, Kochi, Nagpur, and Guwahati.
	SIM 23-2009: Urban Particulate Pollution Source Apportionment: Part 2 - Applications, Results, and Policy Implications This paper is a follow up of SIM 10-2008 and SIM-16-2009, covering the applications of particulate pollution source apportionment, an analysis of the sources of air pollution in the megacities of Asia, a summary of the particulate pollution source apportionment studies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the policy implications and utilities of a source apportionment study for an effective decision making in the cities.
	SIM 22-2009: Air Quality Management in Delhi: Then, Now, & Next This paper is based on the presentation at the BioVision conference, in March, 2009, and discusses the past and current air quality mangement experiences in Delhi, India, including pollution levels, sources of pollution, and policy interventions.
	SIM 21-2009: Impact Analysis of Brick Kilns on the Air Quality in Dhaka, Bangladesh This paper presents the results from the dispersion modeling of the brick kiln cluster emissions and their impact on the air quality in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the manufacturing season of October-March.
	SIM 20-2009: Particulate Pollution in Asia: Part 1 - Multi-pollutant Modeling, Contributions, & Health Impacts This paper is intended to develop a broader perspective of understanding the air pollution mixture of fine and coarse particulates in Asia (with 2000 baseline) and aims to identify the information needed for a sound assessment of the impact of PM pollution on public health. The modeling exercise was conducted for all of Asia using established multi-pollutant emissions inventory's, STEM eulerian dispersion model coupled with RAMS meteorological processor, and health impacts methodology in SIM-06-2008.
	SIM 19-2009: A Review of Air Pollution from Transport Sector in China This working paper presents an overview of the air pollution (emissions analysis at national and provincial level and ambient analysis for urban centers) from the transport sector in China, and aims to better understand, quantitatively and qualitatively, the relative contribution of the transport sector in the urban centers.
	SIM 18-2009: Indicative Impacts of Vehicular Idling on Air Emissions The impact of growing congestion and idling of vehicles is highlighted in this paper, along with a methodology to estimate the impacts on pollutant emissions (PM, SO2, NOx, CO, HCs, and CO2), and ending with a case study from Pune, India, by Dr. Suvrat Kher.
	SIM 17-2009: Ten Frequently Asked Questions About Particulate Matter The Ten FAQs discussed in this paper are: 1. Primary vs. Secondary? 2. What to monitor? 3. Emissions Inventory? 4. What is Source Apportionment? 5. Is Transport the main culprit? 6. Is PM the most harmful? 7. Dispersion Modeling? 8. Indoor vs. Outdoor? 9. Local vs. Global? 10. Where do we start?.
	SIM 16-2009: Urban Particulate Pollution Source Apportionment: Part 1 - Definition, Methodology, and Resources This working paper is a follow up of SIM 10-2008, "What is PM - Composition and Science?", covering the methodology of particulate pollution source apportionment and the resources available for each of the components to conduct an experiment in the developing country cities.
	SIM 15-2009: A Review of the Impact of Biofuels on Local, Regional, and Global Air Quality This working paper presents a literature review of the current understanding on biofuels and their likely impact on air quality. A summary of possible emissions reduction up on biofuels introduction is presented, along with the negative externalities of promoting them at a larger scale.
	SIM 14-2008: An "Air Quality Management" Action Plan for Hanoi, Vietnam This is an executive summary of the 2020 AQM action plan, developed for the city of Hanoi, Vietnam, with year 2006 as the baseline. The final report was submitted to the DONREH, Vietnam.
	SIM 13-2008: VAPIS - Vehicular Air Pollution Information System This is an operational manual for the methodology No.1 presented in SIM 02-2008 and an excel based 'plug and play' tool for developing a vehicular emissions inventory for a fleet. A two page flyer for the VAPIS tool is available here. Visit VAPIS page.
	SIM 12-2008: DIESEL Program in Bangkok: Fuel for the Last Mile For details visit - DIESEL Page
	SIM 11-2008: Urban Transport in India - Not so Fast for Nano Car This working paper describes the urban transport - public and private - in India and possible implications (benefits & costs) of introducing small and efficient cars.
	SIM 10-2008: What is Particulate Matter - Composition & Science?
	SIM 09-2008: Air Pollution & Co-Benefits Analysis for Hyderabad, India This is an executive summary of the analysis conducted for the city of Hyderabad, India with year 2006 as the baseline and particulates and CO2 as the criteria pollutants. A Co-benefit AQM action plan was developed for year 2020 and submitted to local pollution control board.
	SIM 08-2008: Co-Benefits: Management Options for Local Pollution & GHG Emission Control This working paper presents a summary of possible co-benefits of various management options - for outdoor and indoor air pollution. Here, the co-benefits are defined as positive externalities for air pollution and climate change.
	SIM 07-2008: Estimating Road Dust Emissions: Methods & Parameters Dust 1.01, is an excel based tool to calculate dust emissions due to vehicular activity on paved and unpaved roads. This tool is an MS excel representation of the methodology presented in US EPA's AP 42 Emissions Manual.
	SIM 06-2008: Estimating Health Impacts of Urban Air Pollution This working paper presents a methodology to estimate health impacts - mortality and morbidity - of urban air pollution, including a summary of the dose response functions for mortality and morbidity and a literature review. See "reference links" on latest news, from around the world, on mortality and morbidity due to air pollution.
	SIM 05-2008: Urban Air Pollution Analysis for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia This is an executive summary of the analysis conducted for the city of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with year 2005 as the baseline and particulates as the criteria pollutant for cost benefit analysis of air pollution management options. An AQM action plan for year 2020 was developed, along with an analysis of options following the development of an emissions inventory, dispersion modeling, and health impact assessments.
	SIM 04-2008: Simple and Interactive Models for Air Pollution Analysis This working paper provides an overview of the SIM-air analytical tool for the rapid assessment and integrated analysis.
	SIM 03-2008: Informed Decision Support for AQM in Developing Cities In most of the developing country cities, the required knowledge base for developing an informed decision support system for air pollution analysis is limited. This working paper presents the seriousness of the air pollution in the mega- and growing secondary- cities and the need to develop a framework for sharing information and lessons on air pollution.
	SIM 02-2008: Four Simple Equations for Vehicular Emissions Inventory This working paper explains four different equations to develop a vehicular emissions inventory - using base as (a) number of vehicles (b) fuel consumption by mode (c) passenger kilometers traveled or (d) ambient data followed by source apportionment. Each methodology has its advantages and disadvantages and an explanation is provided for developing the involved parameters.
	SIM 01-2008: Using Google Earth to Create GIS Road Maps For the transport sector emissions analysis, a good database of the road maps is essential to better understand the urban layout and pollution mapping procedures. This working paper describes a methodology to develop a set of road maps in GIS format using free Google Earth.