PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This pilot project in
collaboration with
UTA TRAX
demonstrates the feasibility of monitoring trace gas species and
illustrates their temporal and spatial patterns within the Salt Lake
Valley. Carbon dioxide (CO
2), methane (CH
4),
and ozone (O
3) were measured from a rail car on the TRAX
red line for one month in the summer of 2014 (August 11
th
to September 12
th). The maps below show the average
concentrations of these gases over the month long project with both
the height and the color of the bars representing the average
concentration. The real-time displays are shown on
Trax Real-Time Data Displays.
METHODOLOGY: Data were collected at 1 second (GPS
location, CO
2 and CH
4) and 2 second (O
3)
intervals. The GPS data were then merged onto a 1000 point long
transect along the Red Line. Then, for each time the train traversed
the valley, we averaged all of the data at each transect point. For
example, when the train pauses at a TRAX stop for 30 seconds, there
will be 30 data points in one location, so we average these 30 data
points into 1 value for that location. Finally, the data at each
location along the transect is averaged over the whole month of the
project, yielding the maps below.
DISCLAIMER: These data are preliminary and may be
revised upon further analysis. They are being provided as a
demonstration of the capabilities of this measurement platform, as an
educational tool, and to engage the public.
PARTICIPANTS: Logan Mitchell, Erik Crossman, Ben
Fasoli, Luke Leclair-Marzolf, John Lin, John Horel, Dave Bowling, Jim
Ehleringer.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: We gratefully thank UTA TRAX for
allowing us to install our instruments on a rail car on the Red line
which facilitated this project.
