PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Regulations to control pollutants (including gases and particles) released through vehicle exhaust have been effective in reducing air pollution. There remains, however, a pressing need to address non-exhaust emissions (NEE), which continue to contribute a significant amount of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) into the air around traffic areas. NEE from vehicles consist of particles, microplastics and other pollutants emitted from a number of different sources, including:
- brake wear: particles are generated by the friction between brake pads and brake discs during braking process
- tyre wear: particles are released as tyres degrade through contact with the road surface
- road surface wear: friction between tyres and the road surface produces particles from the road itself
- resuspension of road dust: dust and particles on the road surface are resuspended into the air by passing vehicles
Taken together, these emissions make a significant contribution to air pollution, posing environmental and health risks comparable to those of exhaust emissions. Limits on NEE from tyres and brake wear have been included in the recently adopted Euro7 regulation for road vehicles and are a priority in the EU’s zero pollution vision for 2050.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE NEEVE project aims to tackle NEE from vehicles by developing and demonstrating innovative methods for measuring and reducing NEE from vehicle-road interactions. By studying, characterising and measuring NEE, the project aims to improve air quality, legal regulations and road transport sustainability, while enhancing the health of EU citizens.
The objectives of the LIFE NEEVE consortium are to:
- develop and implement real-time onboard measurement systems for vehicles which will allow non-exhaust emissions to be monitored, providing information such as particle mass (e.g. PM10, PM2.5), number, size and distribution while also performing both chemical and morphological analysis
- design, develop and test low-polluting vehicle and road components: these will include brake pads/discs, tyres and pavements - which will be tested in pilot demonstrations to minimise NEE of particles and microplastics from braking system - and tyre-road interactions
- test these innovations in real-world scenarios in Spain and Germany, aiming to accurately monitor and significantly reduce NEE; this real-time data will provide crucial insights into the impact of NEE, enabling meaningful reductions in the automotive sector
- extend these solutions beyond passenger vehicles by applying them in other transport sectors such as buses and trucks
- implement strategies to promote, replicate and scale these innovations across the EU
- raise awareness of NEE among policymakers, vehicle manufacturers and drivers, encouraging updates to regulations, vehicle design and driving behaviour that will help achieve maximum reductions in NEE, contributing to better air quality, better public health and environmental sustainability
RESULTS
The main expected results of the LIFE NEEVE project are:
- a report on market needs and legal requirements based on the NEEVE project's innovative techniques, aligned with the Green Deal and EU regulations
- the development of new protocols and methodologies for accurate real-time measurement of NEE
- a prototype module and measuring instruments for lab-based testing on a chassis dyno test bench
- a design for low-pollution pavements, including an in-depth analysis of various parameters influencing NEE
- new brake designs and performance studies aimed at reducing NEE
- research and design of tyre properties to minimise NEE
- a functional module for measuring non-exhaust particulate emissions, including sampling tools and post-analysis methods
- new asphalt mixtures designed to minimise microparticle emissions, supporting cleaner pavements
- improved brake pads/discs that enhance braking efficiency and safety while reducing environmental impact
- enhanced tyres for better performance and lower NEE
- approximately 30% reduction in brake emissions, 20% reduction in road emissions and 10% reduction in tyre emissions during the project's implementation phase
- development of 3 human organoids to assess the health impacts of NEE
- new data models for predicting particle dispersion patterns in urban environments with an accuracy of at least 70%
- an optimised monitoring system capable of measuring NEE from brakes and tyres in real-world conditions
- test results and validation in real world driving conditions of onboard measurement systems, brake discs/pads and tyres on petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles
- two trial scenarios deployed in Murcia, Spain, to compare conventional pavement with novel low-emission asphalt
- life cycle analysis (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) evaluations
- a comprehensive outreach and communication strategy to engage policymakers, manufacturers and drivers in promoting regulatory, industrial and behavioural changes
