Diesel combustion is a significant source of harmful pollutants that are damaging to human health in urban areas. While diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines, they are a disproportionate contributor to exposure of people to fine particulate matter (PM). The PM emitted by diesel engines is very small, predominantly sub-micron in size which is the size fraction considered most damaging to health. Diesel vehicles are normally not the largest component of a city fleet. In Bangkok, it is estimated that diesel vehicles, while comprising less than 10% of the vehicle fleet, contribute 89% of emissions of PM10 from vehicles.
The overall objective of this program was to develop a better understanding of the factors that influence vehicular emissions and to propose cost-effective control options in the context of the political economy of developing countries.
The outputs of the project included:
- Analytical and informational tools to analyze technical and policy options
- Action plans for Bangkok to address the diesel emissions (to be used by the city with possible support from donors, development agencies)
- Website and CD-ROM
Project Documents
DIESEL Summary
You can also download the latest files from the Pollution Control Department website: http://www.pcd.go.th/info_serv/en_air_diesel.html
DIESEL Final Report
Title and Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Why Diesel?
Chapter 2: Current Policy
Chapter 3: Vehicle Population
Chapter 4: Baseline Emissions
Chapter 5: Opportunities for Action
Annex 1: PM Pollution in BKK
Annex 2 & 3: BKK Transport & Survey
Annex 4: PCD Testing Laboratory
Annex 5: Testing Methodology
Annex 6: Emission Trends by Year
Annex 7 & 8: Emission Results & Charts
Annex 9 to 11: IDEAS and References
Official project title: Developing Integrated Emission Strategies for Existing Land Transport (DIESEL) in Bangkok, Thailand
Donors: World Bank
Partners: Pollution Control Department, Department of Land Transport, The World Bank, USAID/USAEP
Project Duration: 1 August 2003 to 31 December 2004
Clean Air Asia contact:
Bert Fabian, bert.fabian(at)cleanairasia.org