Bangladesh, grappling with severe air pollution, ranks as the country with the worst air quality globally in 2021, with its capital, Dhaka, being the second most polluted city worldwide. Vehicular emissions contribute significantly to this environmental challenge. Addressing this, a recent study led by Sakie Kawsar and colleagues from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology explores the applicability of the European emission model, COPERT 5.5, for Bangladesh, aiming to develop comprehensive vehicular emission inventories.
The research team from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, comprising Sakie Kawsar, Sourav Biswas, Muntasir Noor, and Professor Md. Shahid Mamun, conducted a detailed analysis using COPERT 5.5 to compute yearly emissions from various vehicle categories in Bangladesh over recent years. The results were benchmarked against estimations from World Bank data. Published in the journal Environmental Science: Atmospheres, the study establishes that COPERT 5.5 is a suitable tool for Bangladesh, suggesting updated emission factors for CO2 and other pollutants.
The study highlights that vehicular emissions account for a significant portion of Bangladesh’s total CO2 emissions, with the majority coming from on-road vehicles. The lack of a tailored vehicular emission model and comprehensive emission inventories has hindered effective air pollution management in the country. COPERT 5.5, a widely used European emission model, offers a robust solution to this problem. By utilizing this model, the researchers developed country-specific emission inventories, providing a clearer picture of vehicular pollution in Bangladesh.
The significant results indicate that the COPERT 5.5 model can accurately estimate emissions for Bangladesh’s unique conditions. The study computed the yearly production of CO2 from different vehicular classes and compared the results with World Bank data, showing little to no discrepancy. This validation confirms the model’s applicability in the Bangladeshi context.
The research team found that implementing COPERT 5.5 could lead to substantial improvements in air quality management. The model provides detailed insights into the emissions of CO2 and a dozen other major pollutants, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions. “COPERT estimations can help in updating vehicular emission standards in Bangladesh by imposing new rules related to Euro standards and fuel quality, thus reducing emission levels,” said Kawsar.
One of the crucial findings of the study is the updated emission factors for various vehicle categories. The researchers proposed new CO2 emission factors for vehicles with more up-to-date technologies currently running in Bangladesh. This update is vital for accurate emission estimations and effective policy formulation. The study’s emission inventories offer a comprehensive overview of the contribution of different vehicle types to the country’s total emissions, highlighting areas that require targeted interventions.
By establishing a reliable emission model, the study paves the way for extensive research on national air pollution rates. Governmental departments can utilize these estimations to formulate and implement stricter emission standards, contributing to improved air quality and public health.
In conclusion, the research by Kawsar and colleagues marks a significant step towards better vehicular emission management in Bangladesh. The implementation of this model can lead to substantial positive impacts on air quality, addressing one of Bangladesh’s most pressing environmental concerns.
Journal Reference
Kawsar, S., Biswas, S., Noor, M., & Mamun, M. S. (2023). Investigating the applicability of COPERT 5.5 emission software in Bangladesh and developing countrywide vehicular emission inventories. Environmental Science: Atmospheres, 4, 57-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00047H
About the Authors
Dr. Md. Shahid Mamun is a distinguished professor and the head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is also the director of the Center for Extension Services at AUST which deals with consultation, testing, and research. He completed his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), followed by a master’s in transportation engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada, and a Ph.D. in transportation engineering from the University of Florida, USA. Dr. Mamun’s research interests include transportation planning and policy evaluation, travel demand modeling, traffic impact assessment, transportation network modeling, and traffic simulation and signal control systems. Dr. Mamun also actively works in several transportation projects across Bangladesh and mentors numerous students in their academic and research endeavors.
Sakie Kawsar, Sourav Biswas, and Muntasir Noor completed their Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka Bangladesh, where they carried out their thesis under the supervision of Dr. Mamun, which led to this publication. Post-graduation, Sakie Kawsar is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Transportation at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, USA. She is actively developing her technical skills to contribute effectively in her field. Sourav Biswas is an assistant engineer at Toma Constructions & Co. Ltd., focusing on project feasibility assessments, supervising quality assurance and control, and providing technical guidance to ensure all construction projects meet design and safety standards. Muntasir Noor is a civil site engineer at MARCS Architect & Engineer LTD in Chittagong, where he manages project materials, oversees quality assurance and control, and ensures construction projects are completed on time and within budget.
