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Most vehicles used in road transport are powered by internal combustion engines. Depending on the nature of their operation, each vehicle releases a certain amount of emissions into the air. Among other things, emissions include carbon dioxide, which significantly contributes to the greenhouse effect. The quantity of CO2 produced is closely related to fuel consumption. The article presents the results of test drives which were performed on a passenger car meeting emission standard Euro 4. The aim of the study was to verify the impact of the use of cruise control on fuel consumption of the vehicle. The measurement was performed on the basis of test drives carried out on a highway section. The consumption was determined based on the data obtained from a diagnostic device, which was connected to the vehicle via OBD. The test drives were repeated several times in order to get as close as possible to the actual operation of the vehicle.

Road traffic constitutes a key element of modern life, with many individuals being behind the wheel each day. Their driving style, specifically how they accelerate and brake, can significantly influence the emissions of harmful substances and air quality. Despite the presence of modern cars equipped to reduce exhaust gas components and other emissions, driving style continues to have a substantial impact on air pollution. In the case of aggressive driving, the influence on fuel consumption and emission generation is substantial. Another aspect is the safety of road traffic as it has been proven that aggressive driving reduces safety. This article focuses on the results of our recent research regarding vehicle emissions during acceleration. We found that even though modern cars are increasingly environmentally friendly, aggressive driving with them can quickly change the perspective on this issue. While the acceleration of a single vehicle may seem essentially negligible, it is crucial to realize that, especially in urban environments, the number of accelerations of road vehicles as a traffic flow is enormous, particularly during peak traffic hours. Furthermore, there are locations where vehicles must decelerate and accelerate consistently, such as certain types of intersections. The goal of the article is to provide an additional viewpoint on monitoring this trend, this time in combination with the road infrastructure itself, with three examples discussed in the article on how these negative trends can be influenced through modifications to the road infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research is to identify places with deteriorated air quality in the city of Žilina. After an analytical analysis of the data, it is possible to propose steps that can be used to actively contribute to the reduction of air pollution, especially due to road traffic. Places where deteriorated air quality was found were identified on the basis of practical measurements. Given that the measurement route was designed in a built-up area of Žilina with a large number of pedestrians, the research was primarily focused on the identification of particulate matters (PM) and the concentration of carbon monoxide CO. The measurements were repeatedly performed on a pre-defined route during the morning rush hour when traffic was congested on the roads. Based on the processing and evaluation of the measurements, the sections where increased values of individual emissions were recorded were identified. In this way, it was possible to precisely identify places where air quality deteriorates. The research conclusions provide support for planning the optimisation of air quality management policies towards the creation of sustainable cities. The research results present the possibilities of identifying problematic sections from the point of view of emissions production. Critical places with regard to the production of emissions can be connected to places where a permanently increased movement of vehicles is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Road transport emissions are a considerable source of air pollution. Our research presents a possible tool for quantifying particulate matter emissions in an urban environment. Particulate matter significantly contributes to environmental pollution, negatively affects human health and irreparably damages all living things. The purpose of the research is to help determine the concentration of particulate matter in metropolitan areas. Three measuring stations in a city in central Slovakia were selected for the research. The sites were located at the main bus terminal, near primary schools, and at a railway crossing. Each station formed a measuring point. During the investigation, we monitored the amount of flying dust; at the same time, the intensity of traffic in the vicinity of the measuring stations was monitored. The research made it possible to determine the link between the volume of traffic and the concentration of particulate matter. The level of dependence between the concentration of particulate matter and the volume was first evaluated based on correlation coefficients. From the results of the research, it is possible to consider the dependence of the concentration of pollutants and the intensity of traffic as high. For each measurement, the correlation coefficient values were above 0.7 and, in some cases, exceeded 0.9, which can be considered very high levels of dependence. The highest level of pollution was detected at the bus station where the concentration of PM10 exceeded the value of 83 μg/m3 and the concentration of PM2.5 was at a level exceeding the limit of 16 μg/m3. This evidence can be considered very negative due to the high occurrence of people in this place. Different concentrations of particulate matter can also be monitored at other measuring points. According to research results, metropolitan road transport has a significant impact on the concentration of particulate matter, which have an adverse effect on nearby pedestrians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of motor vehicles are connected with negative environmental impacts in relation to their operation. Among the main negative effects are exhaust gas emissions production. The annual increase in passenger cars and emissions from them deteriorates air quality daily. Traffic junctions also have a negative impact on increasing emissions production by exhaust gases. This situation may be caused by vehicle speed fluctuation, mainly when they get closer or leave. This study focuses on the emissions produced by exhaust gases after a road vehicle starts. The research was performed with a combustion engine vehicle on a route 30 m long. The vehicle was simulated in three different ways of starting (uphill, on ground level/plain and downhill). The values of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) were observed, as well as the vehicle's operation performance during start-ups. The research results showed that the lowest emissions production is when the vehicle is starting downhill. There, the emissions increased up to a distance of 9.7 m from the start. After reaching this distance, the emissions decreased and the vehicle speed continued to increase. While the vehicle started uphill, the emissions increased up to the distance of 16.8 m. After reaching this distance, the emissions began decreasing. Due to this fact, this type of testing is assessed as "the worst" from the emissions production point of view. The research demonstrates the relations between a road gradient representing starting on a plain surface and a vehicle's emissions produced by the exhaust gases. It is known that exhaust emissions are higher predominantly at junctions. They depend considerably on vehicle speed and driving continuity on a route. This research helps to quantify all the data and, thus, to provide a possibility of further solutions in the future as a tool for emissions reduction in cities and close to traffic intersections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We currently rank road transport as one of the largest producers of harmful substances. In relation to the environment, we can say that it is a source of emissions, vibrations, and, last but not least, noise. Transport (especially road) puts pressure on land and contributes greatly to global environmental problems. Especially in road transport, a large number of accidents occur, which are reflected in material and especially human losses, as well as in congestion, which manifests itself in the loss of time. Global production of pollutant emissions is associated with the development of transport, an increase in transport performance, and fuel consumption. The Ministry of Transport considers it one of the largest in terms of the number of emissions produced. Today, a lot of attention is paid to ecology and especially to air quality. This article talks about the extent to which transport can adjust air quality and how difficult it is to prevent the number of emissions produced. Several actions and different methods are needed to answer these questions. The basis is the creation of a unified system of product production evaluation in the entire monitored area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a conventional internal combustion engine, only electrical controls are used to prepare the fuel mixture. All parts must operate flawlessly in order for the vehicle and its components to operate correctly. Road safety may be negatively impacted by the failure of specific components. The purpose of the study was to ascertain how much the malfunction of particular electrical components affects how the vehicle operates. The vehicle's individual electronic parts were removed, and the engine power was then assessed. The primary determinant of a vehicle's technical condition is thought to be its engine power. The preparation of the combustion mixture was affected by the individual component disconnections, which reduced the vehicle's performance. A vehicle with an in-line four-cylinder engine was used for the experiment, which was conducted in a lab setting. This vehicle's eight components were gradually disengaged. The change in engine power was observed while they were disconnected. The measured values were always evaluated in terms of an automobile that had no defects and was in excellent condition. The study's findings demonstrate that there are circumstances in which a vehicle's usual operation is adversely affected when one or more of its electrical components malfunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel consumption measurement itself is a demanding process and it is difficult to determine the exact consumption of a vehicle. Fuel consumption can be determined in various ways. One way to determine consumption is through driving tests. We know several types of driving tests. Nowadays, most vehicles and all new vehicles can provide a wealth of data to the driver directly during vehicle operation. One of them is the data on the consumption of the vehicle also through the on-board computer located in the vehicle. The information provided to the driver may not reflect reality. In most cases, they are inaccurate and do not correspond to reality. Therefore, the subject of the research will be to verify the accuracy of the provided data on vehicle consumption by the on-board computer. The aim of the research will be to determine the extent to which consumption data are true. Vehicle consumption, as well as measurements are performed on one vehicle in every day traffic. This will ensure that it is possible to compare the measured data with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of the fuel mixture of a conventional internal combustion engine is currently controlled exclusively electronically. In order for the electrical management of an internal combustion engine to function properly, it is necessary that all its electronic components work flawlessly and fulfill their role. Failure of these electronic components can cause incorrect fuel mixture preparation and also affect driving safety. Due to the effect of individual failures, it has a negative impact on road safety and also negatively affects other participants. The task of the research is to investigate the effect of the failure of electronic engine components on the selected operating characteristics of a vehicle. The purpose of this article is to specify the extent to which a failure of an electronic engine component may affect the operation of a road vehicle. Eight failures of electronic systems (sensors and actuators) were simulated on a specific vehicle, with a petrol internal combustion engine. Measurements were performed in laboratory conditions, the purpose of which was to quantify the change in the operating characteristics of the vehicle between the faulty and fault-free state. The vehicle performance parameters and the production of selected exhaust emission components were determined for selected vehicle operating characteristics. The results show that in the normal operation of vehicles, there are situations where a failure in the electronic system of the engine has a significant impact on its operating characteristics and, at the same time, some of these failures are not identifiable by the vehicle operator. The findings of the publication can be used in the drafting of legislation, in the field of production and operation of road vehicles, and also in the mathematical modeling of the production of gaseous emissions by road transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the production of exhaust emissions from a vehicle with a petrol engine with the Euro 4 emission standard and powered by petrol and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). The paper presents new possibilities for monitoring exhaust emissions using an exhaust gas analyzer. At the same time, it points out the topicality and significance of the issue in the monitored area. It examines the impact of a change in fuel on emissions. This change is monitored in various areas of vehicle operation. Measurements were performed during real operation, which means that the results are fully usable and applicable in practice. The driving simulation as well as the test conditions correspond to the RDE (Real Driving Emissions) test standard. A commercially available car was first selected to perform the tests, which was first measured in the original configuration (petrol drive). Based on real-time RDE driving tests, it is possible to determine the number of exhaust emissions. Subsequently, the same measurements were performed with the same vehicle, but the vehicle's propulsion was changed to LPG. The vehicle was equipped with an additional system that allowed the vehicle to be powered by LPG. The results from the individual driving tests allowed the determination of the exhaust emissions. Emissions of CO (carbon monoxide), CO2 (carbon dioxide), HC (hydrocarbons), and NOx (nitrogen oxides) were monitored as a matter of priority. Through the driving tests, it was found that the gasoline combustion produced higher CO (1.926 g/km) and CO2 (217.693 g/km) emissions compared to the combustion of liquefied gas, where the concentration of the CO emissions was 1.892 g/km and that of the CO2 emissions was 213.966 g/km. In contrast, the HC (0.00397 g/km) and NOx (0.03107 g/km) emissions were lower when petrol was burned. During LPG combustion, the HC emissions reached 0.00430 g/km, and the NOx emissions reached 0.05134 g/km. At the end of the research, the authors compared the emissions determined by real driving (in g/km) with the emission values produced by the emission standard EURO 4 and the certificate of conformity (COC). Practical measurements showed that the vehicle produced excessive amounts of CO when burning gasoline. This production is 0.926 g/km higher and 0.892 g/km higher when burning LPG compared to the limit set by the Euro 4 Emission Standard. The difference is even greater than the limit value stated in the COC document. For other substances, the monitored values are in the norm and are even far below the permitted value [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]