Assessing the Influence of Adverse Weather on Vehicle Emissions and Traffic Flow: Implications for Urban Transportation Planning Using Bosch ESTM and VISSIM

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of adverse weather conditions on fuel consumption, CO ₂ emissions, and traffic flow at an urban intersection in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Given that approximately 70% of the US population resides in areas frequently impacted by snow and rain, the findings of this study are crucial for shaping future urban transportation planning and traffic management strategies. Using the PTV Vision Verkehr In Städten—SIMulationsmodell (VISSIM) microsimulation tool, traffic flow and driving behavior were modeled under four weather conditions: clear sky, dense fog, rain, and snow. This study is the first to incorporate the Bosch Environmentally Sensitive Traffic Management service as an add-on module to the VISSIM within a US urban context, providing high-resolution, microscopic-level assessments of fuel consumption and vehicular emissions under adverse weather conditions for Saratoga Springs, Utah. To analyze the relationship between weather impacts, traffic flow, fuel consumption, and emissions, the Wiedemann 99 car-following model and speed distributions were adjusted to reflect the conditions of each weather scenario. This paper offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating how adverse weather influences urban mobility and fuel consumption, emphasizing the implications for urban planning and policy. The results underscore the significant negative effects of weather on mobility and environmental performance, highlighting the need for urban planners to account for these conditions in the design of transportation systems, particularly near sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools, and residential areas with vulnerable populations.