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Carbon Emissions on the Dalhousie University Campus

Introduction

Vehicular transport is one of the most abundant forms of transportation in Canada. For

provinces such as Nova Scotia, people became very reliant on vehicles as a majority of the

province is rural areas. Vehicular travel is a necessity for many residents.

Internationally vehicular transportation accounts for 74% of global carbon dioxide emissions

and within the Canadian transportation sector, road transport is responsible for 69% of carbon

dioxide emissions (Terefe, 2010). Globally though, Canadas carbon dioxide emissions from fuel

combustion are decreasing. Between 2005 and 2010 emissions levels have dropped 0.3% to

1.8% and are expected to continue decreasing (Canadas emissions trends, 2013). By 2020

Canadas emissions are expected to be around 1.6% (Canadas emissions trends, 2013).

With emissions decreasing and vehicular travel very prevalent in Nova Scotia, fuel consumption

and emissions levels are an interesting topic, and what amounts are being produced on the

campus of Dalhousie University. Through observations and data collection, these amounts

could be found.

Materials and Methods

Dalhousie University is located in the south end of Halifax, Nova Scotia, a vehicle-oriented city.

Parking on the crowded peninsula has always been a topic of debate. On the university campus
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2 parking lots were chosen, Risley Hall Lot and Killam Circle to total over the needed number of

samples, to collect data from 40 cars. We collected the data on February 8, 2018 at

approximately 1:15pm. When collecting car information, it was assumed that the cars were

automatic, and the year was estimated by comparison of models. This data was then entered

into the Canadian Natural Resource website to determine fuel efficiency. We took fuel

efficiency data from city driving and models with the least amount of engine cylinders. This data

was entered into a spreadsheet and analysed to determine fuel efficacy averages, amount of

fuel consumed per year, and amount of carbon dioxide released annually based on 20000km of

driving.

Results

Parking lot samples were taken from 40 spots, from two separate parking spots on the

Dalhousie campus. After organizing the data, annual emissions of carbon dioxide were

calculated using an average driving distance of 20000 kilometer per year. As seen in table 1, the

driver at Dalhousie University contribute 9616014.8 kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

annually.

Table 1. Mean and total data from samples and whole Dalhousie community.
Mean Fuel Mean Annual Total CO2 CO2 for all Standard
Consumption Emissions for 2056 spots at Deviation CO2
(L/100km) Fuel Mean CO2 Lot Sample (kg) Dalhousie (kg) Emissions of Lot
Consumption Emissions of Sample
(L/year) (kg/year)
10.1675 2033.5 4677.05 187082 9616014.8 1255.29149
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In the sample vehicles that were most efficient, least efficient, hybrid, or electric were

highlighted. Calculations were run to determine the new values if all vehicles on Dalhousie’s

campus were most or least efficient, hybrid, or electric, as shown in figure 1. The 2014 Toyota

Prius was the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the data set, rated at 5.5L/100km.

CO2 For Whole Community (kg/year)

12000000
10000000
8000000
6000000
4000000
2000000 CO2 For Whole Community
0 (kg/year)

Make/Model/Year from Least to Most Efficient

Figure 1 – CO2 emissions for the whole Dal community based off of electric, hybrid, least and
most efficient vehicles.

The data shows a wide range of results between the mean and vehicle efficiency. As shown in

table 2, the biggest deviation from the mean is the least fuel-efficient vehicle, the 2016 Ram

1500.

Table 2. The percent change of each vehicle based off of CO2 emissions.
Least Efficient Most Efficient Hybrid Electric
Percent Change from
Mean 68.1829358 28.2026063 45.9060733 100
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Discussion

Dalhousie produces a lot of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicular transport. With 2056

parking spots within Dalhousie, the university is a major contributor to the emissions being

released in the city of Halifax. Based on the data it is very prevalent that vehicle choice is a very

obvious rout to less vehicle emissions. Choosing a hybrid vehicle can reduce yearly emissions

rates by 45%. Electric vehicles would reduce emissions by 100% but is not an option for many

residents as the technology is still developing and is not available to all, as well vehicle range is

an obstacle.

A large sample of cars was chosen to help create a more accurate sample of data, but time of

year may have had an effect on the results. During winter time people tend to travel in bigger

vehicles such as crossovers, SUVs, or trucks. This increase in larger vehicles with decreased fuel

efficiency may have skewed the data, and it would be expected to obtain different data during

warmer months. To continue the research, it would be interesting to compare winter and

summer data and see if there is any change in the average fuel efficiencies.

References

Canada’s Emissions Trends. (2013). Retrieved March 9, 2018, from https://www.ec.gc.ca/ges-

ghg/985F05FB-4744-4269-8C1A-D443F8A86814/1001-

Canada%27s%20Emissions%20Trends%202013_e.pdf
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Terefe, B. (May, 2010). Greenhouse gas emissions from private vehicles in Canada, 1990 to

2007. Retrieved March 09, 2018, from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-001-

m/2010012/part-partie1-eng.htm

Appendix