The European research project LENS, in which the Faculty of Engineering at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague was involved, has revealed significant differences between laboratory tests and the real-world operation of motorcycles and other light vehicles. Researchers found that, in everyday traffic, these vehicles produce considerably more noise and harmful emissions than current approval procedures indicate. At the same time, the project proposes concrete measures that could help improve air quality and quality of life in cities.
The international LENS project (L-vehicles Emissions and Noise Mitigation Solutions), funded by the Horizon Europe program, focused for over three years of research on emissions and noise from motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, and quadricycles in real-world operation. The Department of Vehicles and Ground Transport at the Faculty of Engineering was also involved in the project. Researchers tested more than 150 vehicles under laboratory conditions and approximately 2,300 more directly on the streets of European cities, including Barcelona, Paris, and Leuven in Belgium.
Laboratory tests are not enough.
The research showed that current type-approval tests are unable to sufficiently capture situations typical of real urban traffic, such as rapid acceleration, starting from a standstill, dynamic riding, or intensive braking. These are precisely the situations in which emissions and noise levels are highest. The research team therefore developed new measurement methodologies, including Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing and special dynamic driving cycles that better reflect how vehicles are actually used.
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