Level of Service Evaluation and Vehicle Emissions Using Microsimulations in SUMO, Huancayo, Peru

Abstract

Traditional traffic studies in Peru focus primarily on Level of Service (LOS) and control delay evaluation, frequently neglecting the environmental impact of vehicle emissions. In the present study, the relationship between intersection performance and vehicle emissions at signalized and unsignalized intersections is evaluated in Huancayo, Peru. Traffic simulations were carried out in SUMO and via the HBEFA4 emission model, for which 12 vehicle categories were implemented, in sharp contrast to previous studies. The assigned emissions class is based on exhaust aftertreatment technologies and historical Euro standards in Peru. The results reveal a disparity between the assigned LOS and control delay and the obtained emissions. The Southwestbound (SWB) approach achieved an optimal LOS A, yet it generated the highest emission mass of 41,078 g of CO2. In contrast, the minor street assigned as Lane Group 1–Y2 exhibited an LOS E but produced only 1,607.5 g of CO2 due to its low volume of 13 vehicles. The vehicle taxi category was identified as the primary emission source, followed by the category private car. It was concluded that traffic volume is a more dominant factor for CO2 emissions than control delay. Sustainable urban planning in Peru must integrate emission modeling and fleet modernization in conjunction with infrastructure-based delay reduction.