Dust Control UpdateDale C. Heglund, PE/PLSNDAOGPC – Sept 18, 2014 – Williston

Presenter on behalf of the investigators:

Dale C. Heglund, PE/PLSNDLTAP Director

Investigators:

Daba S. Gedafa, Ph.D., P.E., UNDHarvey Gullicks, Ph.D., P.E., UND

Unpaved roads are the largest source of particulate air pollution in the United States

Effects of dust from unpaved roads:Stunting plant growth due to the shading effect and clogging

of the plant’s poresNuisance and health problems such as hay fever and

allergiesReduction in visibility and causing driving hazards for

drivers Increasing particulate loading of lakes and streams after

precipitation

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Due to the increased traffic volumes related to energy sector in western North Dakota, dust along the many unpaved roads is causing many complaints Farmers and ranchers complain that dust from unpaved

roads due to heavy trucks has stunted crops, damaged pasture, and caused allergic reactions in livestock

There is a need to measure the amount of dust and its effect on crops & livestock

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Literature review of the effect of dust from unpaved roads on crops and livestock

Measure and compare dust from unpaved roads in five counties in North Dakota considering traffic, material type, and weather conditions

Determine the effect of dust from unpaved roads on crops and livestock using survey

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County Intersection Traffic Counter Location

Cass Co. 2 and Co. 11, Grandin 500 ft south of intersection

Grand Forks

Co. 5 and 10th St, Manvel 500 ft south of intersection

Mountrail 101st Ave NW and 63rd St NW, White Earth

500 ft north of intersection

McKenzie 155th Ave NW & 36th St NW, Cartwright

500 ft south of intersection

Williams Co. 8 & Co. 15, Ray 500 ft north of intersection

10.*=Metal post with mason jars at 2, 3, and 4 ft locations

11.*=Metal post with mason jars at 2, 3, and 4 ft locations

12*=Metal post with mason jars at 2, 3, and 4 ft locations

13*=Metal post with mason jars at 2, 3, and 4 ft locations

14*=Metal post with mason jars at 2, 3, and 4 ft locations

15Standard quart size jars

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The amount of dust from unpaved roads in five counties have been collected monthly using mason jars at 2, 3, and 4 ft on each metal posts that are at 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480 ft from the center of major unpaved road on both sidesJuly-AugustAugust-SeptemberSeptember-October will be collected in October

Traffic counters have been used to collect traffic volume, traffic speed, and vehicle length

Survey data will be used to determine the effect of dust and livestock on crop yield and livestock

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July-August Dust*

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0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

East West East West East West East West East West

30 60 120 240 480

Ave

rage

Dus

t per

Pos

t (gr

ams)

Distance from the Center of Major Unpaved Roads in East-West Directions

Cass Grand Forks Mountrail McKenzie Williams

* Preliminary Results. Detailed Analysis will be conducted

August-September Dust*

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* Preliminary Results. Detailed Analysis will be conducted

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

East West East West East West East West East West

30 60 120 240 480

Ave

rage

Dus

t per

Pos

t (gr

ams)

Distance from Center of Major Unpaved Road in East-West Directions

Cass Grand Forks Mountrail McKenzie Williams

July-September Vehicle Volume

21

0

4000

8000

12000

16000

20000

24000

28000

N S N S N S N S N S

Cass Grand Forks Mountrail McKenzie Williams

Num

ber

of V

ehic

les

Driving Direction in Each County

August September

July-August Vehicle Speed Results

22

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

N S N S N S N S N S

Cass Grand Forks Mountrail McKenzie Williams

Spee

d (m

ph)

Driving Direction in Each County

Average Min Max

August-September Vehicle Speed Results

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0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

N S N S N S N S N S

Cass Grand Forks Mountrail McKenzie Williams

Spee

d (m

ph)

Driving Direction in Each County

Average Min Max

Williams and McKenzie sites have high traffic and dust amount as compared to the three other counties

There has been a significant traffic increase at McKenzie site from August-September as compared to July-August

Dust from Mountrail site is negligible for August-September may be because of dust suppressants and lesser traffic as compared to the other western counties

Maximum speed that is higher than interstate speed limit has been measured

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Collecting dust and traffic data in October

Analyze dust and traffic data in detail

Consider weather, material types, and dust suppressants if any

Gather and analyze survey results from farmers and ranchers to determine the effect of dust on crop yield and livestock

Submit report on October 31st and make closing presentation in November

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North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties for funding this project

County Highway Engineers

County Extension Services for sharing addresses for survey

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Contact:Daba S. Gedafa, Ph.D., P.E.University of North Dakota

E-mail: daba.gedafa@engr.und.eduOffice Phone: 701-777-3976

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NDLTAP – Partnering with the NDDOT and the NDAOGPC to enhance our local transportation system.