Numerical validation of a near-field fugitive dust model for vehicles moving on unpaved surfaces

This paper presents a numerical model for evaluating fugitive dust emissions and transport in a near field induced by a moving vehicle. The dust emission model describes the quantity and location of emitted dust. The transport of the dust is recorded by the Lagrangian particle-tracking method, and the turbulence dispersion of particles is modeled stochastically. The presented model is validated numerically for the prediction of dust concentration in a region near the vehicles through a careful comparison with the available experimental data. The simulation results compare reasonably well with the experimental data. This model provides, for the first time, a validated dust emission and transport model suitable for the near field of moving vehicles.