Abstract

This project investigated the feasibility of using low-cost sensors to identify high-emitting heavy-duty diesel trucks through roadside emissions monitoring. A sampling system was designed and tested in both laboratory and field environments to evaluate sensor performance and measurement reliability. In the laboratory, controlled engine testing enabled direct comparison between low-cost sensors and research-grade instruments to establish baseline accuracy, response time, and sources of uncertainty. These tests demonstrated that while low-cost sensors exhibit greater bias and slower response, several are capable of detecting transient emission events. Field deployments revealed that real-world conditions, such as plume dilution, spatial variability, and short exposure times, significantly limit detectability when using traditional extractive sampling methods. In response, the design shifted to facilitate more direct exposure of sensors to exhaust plumes. This improved signal strength and detection reliability, demonstrating that sampling architecture can significantly impact sensor performance. The results support the potential for scalable, low-cost screening of high-emitting vehicles.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering; Mechanical Engineering

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2026-06-08

Document Type

Thesis

Keywords

emission factor, roadside emissions monitoring, low-cost sensing, heavy-duty diesel vehicles, high-emitting vehicles, sampling system design, field validation

Language

english

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