Estimation of Mobile Emissions Reduction from Using Electronic Toll Collection inthe Baltimore Metropolitan Area: A Case Study of the Fort McHenry Tunnel Toll Plaza

摘要

The Baltimore Metropolitan Area is classified as a severe nonattainment areasunder the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. One of the newest emissions control schemes in the Baltimore area is the deployment of electronic toll collection (ETC) technology, locally known as M-Tag, at the three toll facilities (the Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbor, and Key Bridge toll plazas). The objectives of the study described are twofold. First, a microscopic simulation model was used to simulate the existing traffic situations at the Fort McHenry Tunnel toll facility, which is the largest toll plaza in the State of Maryland. Observed field data were used to validate simulation results. Second, the benefits inherent in the use of ETC technology were captured by undertaking a comparative analysis of pre-ETC and post-ETC scenarios. The primary measures of effectiveness used were: (1) increased throughput and hence reduced wait time at the toll plazas, and (2) reduced mobile emissions (hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide).