Characterization of driving patterns and operations of heavy duty vehicles in a port area and their influence on exhaust emissions and fuel consumption evaluation through different emission models

An experimental and theoretical investigation is being performed with a view to evaluate the contribution of Heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) to exhaust emissions and fuel consumption in urban areas involved by commercial shipping activities. Reference is made to the city of Genoa, whose urban road network is influenced both by shipping activities and highway connections, as more than twenty accesses to port area and seven motorway exits are available within the urban area. Different aspects were deepened in this study. Firstly, the HDV flows crossing highway exits, urban zones and port areas were assessed, as well as the relevant vehicle classes. Secondly, the typical urban trips linking highway exits to port gates and the HDV mission profiles within the port area were identified. Measurements of HDV instantaneous speed related to the urban trips were then planned aiming at the definition of the most representative speed patterns through a proper statistical data processing, enabling the application of Passenger Car and Heavy Duty Emission Model (PHEM) for the estimation of emission and fuel consumption factors for selected HDV classes. The main results of the different investigation steps are presented and discussed in the paper, outlining the peculiar mission of HDVs in port area and the related emissive behavior.