Measurements of the Emissions of Particulate Matter (Pm10) from a Concrete Compared to a Stone Mastic Asphalt Highway

A mobile measurement system was used to quantify the relative importance for the road dust particle emissions on highways with concrete and stone mastic asphalt (SMA). Studded and non-studded winter tires were tested at 70, 90 and 110 km/h. The measurements were performed during October on dry, clean roads. Both pavements had a maximum stone size of 16 mm, but the stone material of the concrete was somewhat less wear resistant according to the Nordic ball mill test. Highest particle mass concentrations were always observed behind the studded tires. Studded tires lead to substantially higher PM10 emissions compared to non-studded winter tires. With studded tires at 70, 90 and 110 km/h the concrete pavement showed 31%, 24% and 29%, lower emissions compared to the SMA asphalt pavement. For non-studded tires the concrete pavement showed higher emissions compared to SMA. The particle number size distribution of the emissions was characterized by a mode diameter around 4 ?m. The size distribution was very similar for the concrete and SMA pavements and independent on vehicle speed. The first study comparing PM10 emissions from concrete roads, and more studies are needed to confirm these results.