Field experimental study of traffic-induced turbulence on highways

Abstract This paper is focused on traffic-induced turbulence (TIT) analysis from a field campaign performed in 2011, using ultrasonic anemometers deployed in the M-12 Highways, Madrid (Spain). The study attempts to improve knowledge about the influence of traffic-related parameters on turbulence. Linear relationships between vehicle speed and turbulent kinetic energy ( TKE ) values are found with coefficients of determination ( R 2 ) of 0.75 and 0.55 for the lorry and van respectively. The vehicle-induced fluctuations in the wind components ( u ′, v ′ and w ′) showed the highest values for the longitudinal component ( v ) because of the wake-passing effect. In the analysis of wake produced by moving vehicles it is indicated how the turbulence dissipates in relation to a distance d and height h . The TKE values were found to be higher at the measuring points closer to the surface during the wake analysis.