Modelling the Impact of Road Dust on Air Pollution: A Sustainable System Dynamics Approach

Abstract

Road dust contributes significantly to air pollution by releasing fine particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants into the air, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems and premature death. This dust is generated through the wear and tear of vehicle tires and road surfaces, as well as the accumulation of dirt and debris on the road, primarily from construction activities and cargo trucks carrying building materials. Wind, weather conditions, and vehicle movement play crucial roles in the distribution and concentration of these particles in the air. To address this issue, this paper focuses on identifying various variables that are connected to road dust operations and their interrelationships with air pollution variables, representing the dynamic pattern of the entire system. The paper proposes the establishment of a sustainable causal-loop model using system dynamics (SD) modeling in Vensim, connecting feedback mechanisms to effectively control the road dust concentration. Additionally, the paper suggests different policy interventions applied to the whole system to achieve optimized results. In the future, this research aims to convert and simulate the causal-loop model to a stock-flow model and compare the effectiveness of different policy interventions to further reduce road dust contributing to air pollution.