By Pinky Kumawat, Technical University of Dresden, Germany

Abstract 

Reducing transport-related emissions is critical for sustainable and liveable cities. My research integrates remote sensing, data science, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to understand and mitigate real-world vehicle emissions. Using large-scale datasets from Belgium, Switzerland, and Europe, I have quantified Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) emission deterioration in modern trucks and passenger cars, showing that a small subset of high emitters can raise highway NOX levels by up to 40%. Targeting these high-emitting vehicles is crucial because they disproportionately degrade urban air quality, increase population exposure to harmful pollutants, and limit the effectiveness of emission regulations. By revealing hidden real-world emission patterns, my work supports targeted mitigation strategies, equitable enforcement, and improved public health outcomes. These findings have informed updates to the Handbook of Emission Factors for Road Transport (HBEFA v5.1) and have contributed to the EU’s Zero Pollution Ambition.