Multiscale spatiotemporal variations of NOx emissions from heavy duty diesel trucks in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Heavy-duty diesel trucks (HDDTs) cause serious pollution to urban and regional environment. Understanding the spatiotemporal pattern of pollution emissions and its impact factors is the basis for implementing emission reduction measures. However, since the multiscale emission inventory of HDDTs is not currently established, multiscale analysis of these issues is still lacking. Therefore, this study uses massive trajectory data, detailed vehicle specification information and road network information, combined with localized emission factors, to construct a multiscale NOx emission inventory of HDDTs with high spatiotemporal resolution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Then the multiscale spatiotemporal variations of NOx emissions are analyzed by using spatial statistical indicators and multiscale geographical weighted regression model. The results show that the NOx emissions of HDDTs show different spatiotemporal distribution and aggregation characteristics at different scales. Specifically, link-scale emissions are concentrated to a few highways and are dominated by Low-Low cluster. While county-scale and city-scale emissions are concentrated in the eastern plains, mainly in High-High and Low-Low clusters. There are spatial heterogeneity and multiscale effects of socioeconomic and road attribute characteristics on the NOx emissions from HDDTs. Population density, urbanization rate, proportion of second industry, and proportion of highway affect the NOx emissions of HDDTs globally, while per capita GDP and road density have local effects. Our results extend the scientific understanding of the multiscale spatiotemporal variations of HDDTs and may provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted emission control measures for HDDTs. [Display omitted] •The multiscale NOx emission inventory of heavy-duty diesel trucks is established.•NOx emission from heavy-duty diesel trucks shows multiscale spatiotemporal patterns.•Impact factors of NOx emissions show spatial heterogeneity and scale effects.•Multiscale variations of NOx emissions could provide targeted policy measures.