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Project Details
STATUS

Completed

START DATE

11/16/09

END DATE

04/01/10

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CTRE, SUDAS
SPONSORS

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Paul Wiegand

About the research

The objective of this research is to develop best management practices specifications for stormwater quality.

Project Details
STATUS

Completed

START DATE

07/10/07

END DATE

08/31/08

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CTRE
SPONSORS

CenSARA: Blueskyways Collaborative
Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Shauna Hallmark

Director, InTrans

Co-Principal Investigator
Song-Charng Kong
Co-Principal Investigator
Dennis Kroeger
Student Researcher(s)
Massiel Orellana
Abhisek Mudgal

About the research

Biodiesels are often marketed as being cleaner than regular diesel for emissions. Emission test results depend on the biodiesel blend, but laboratory tests suggest that biodiesels decrease particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxins when compared to regular diesel. Results for the amount of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) have been less conclusive.

Tests have not evaluated the commonly available ranges of biodiesel blends in the laboratory. Additionally, little information is available from on-road studies, so the effectiveness of using biodiesels to reduce actual emissions is unknown. A more complex relationship exists between engine operation and the rate of emission production than is typically evaluated using engine or chassis dynamometer tests. On-road emissions can vary dramatically because emissions are correlated to engine mode. Additionally, activity such as idling, acceleration, deceleration, and operation against a grade can produce higher emissions than more stable engine operating modes. Since these modes are not well captured in a laboratory environment, understanding on-road relationships is critical in evaluating the emissions reductions that may be possible with biodiesels. More tests and quantifications of the effects of different blends on engine and vehicle performance are required to promote widespread use of biodiesel.

The objective of this research was to conduct on-road and laboratory tests to compare the emission impacts of different blends of biodiesel to regular diesel fuel under different operating conditions. The team conducted engine dynamometer tests as well as on-road tests that utilized a portable emissions monitoring system that was used to instrument transit buses. Regular diesel and different blends of biodiesel were evaluated during on-road engine operation by instrumenting three in-use transit buses, from the CyRide system of Ames, Iowa, along existing transit routes. Evaluation of transit buses was selected for this study rather than heavy-duty trucks since transit buses have a regular route. This way, emissions for each of the biodiesel blends could be compared across the same operating conditions.

Project Details
STATUS

Completed

START DATE

01/16/07

END DATE

01/31/08

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CTRE
SPONSORS

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Researchers
Principal Investigator
David Plazak
Co-Principal Investigator
Randy Boeckenstedt

About the research

Refine the beta version of the Iowa Produce Market Potential Calculator and develop it into a web-based tool from recommendations received from an advisory committee assembled in cooperation with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Develop a second market sizing (i.e., demand only) calculator for the range of food products listed by USDA/ERS, which includes meats, dairy, and other products.

Project Details
STATUS

Completed

START DATE

07/01/06

END DATE

04/30/07

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CTRE, SUDAS
SPONSORS

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Paul Wiegand
Co-Principal Investigator
Larry Stevens

About the research

Develop and present three two-day workshops to provide professional training to design engineers, city staff, builders, and the general public concerning erosion and sediment control practices contained in the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications Manual.

Project Details
STATUS

Completed

START DATE

04/01/05

END DATE

11/30/06

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CP Tech Center, CTRE, SUDAS
SPONSORS

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Researchers
Principal Investigator
LaDon Jones
Co-Principal Investigator
Paul Wiegand
Co-Principal Investigator
Vern Schaefer
Co-Principal Investigator
Muhannad Suleiman

About the research

The overall goal of integrated pervious pavement systems is two-fold: 1) to reduce volume of direct runoff from the pavement surface by direct infiltration of the water through the pavement surface and into the subbase/subgrade; and 2) to provide enhancement of stormwater quality by directing the sheet flow of water through the pervious concrete and underlying porous subbase structure. This project is focused on the design of PC pervious concrete for use in the cold wet-freeze environment found in Iowa and the Upper Midwest. It will evaluate the mix design for durability, porosity, and improved stormwater runoff management.

 

Project Details
STATUS

Completed

START DATE

03/01/04

END DATE

03/31/06

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CTRE
SPONSORS

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Researchers
Principal Investigator
LaDon Jones

About the research

Develop a statewide urban design and specifications manual for stormwater quality management to help Iowa communities comply with NPDES Phase II and improve water quality throughout the state.

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