Wind tunnel simulation studies on dispersion at urban street canyons and intersections—a review

Increased traffic emissions and reduced natural ventilation cause build up of high pollution levels in urban street canyons/intersections. Natural ventilation in urban streets canyons/intersections is restricted because the bulk of flow does not enter inside and pollutants are trapped in the lower region. Wind vortices, low-pressure zones and channeling effects may cause build up of pollutants under adverse meteorological conditions within urban street canyons. The review provides a comprehensive literature on wind tunnel simulation studies in urban street canyons/intersections including the effects of building configurations, canyon geometries, traffic induced turbulence and variable approaching wind directions on flow fields and exhaust dispersion.