A Novel Method for Traffic Estimation and Air Quality Assessment in California

Abstract

Motor vehicle traffic is recognized as one of the critical factors that causes air pollution; however, the relationship between traffic volume and air pollutant concentrations is unclear, especially at a local level. Traditional traffic volume monitoring systems collect traffic data through counting the number of vehicles, using either sensors or surveillance cameras, but they have clear limitations such as they can only monitor certain areas and specific occasions. To overcome such limitations, we introduce a method of monitoring traffic volume in the local area by collecting estimated travel times for virtual trips in Google Maps. We began collecting the data in January 2020; ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic provided a natural experimental environment of showing unusual trends in traffic volume and unexpected changes in air pollutants. We demonstrate monthly traffic volumes in urban areas and analyze the correlation of traffic volume with typical traffic-related air pollutants using the proposed traffic volume monitoring method.