Impact of Drive Days and No-DriveDays on Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration

Automobile emissions rise in tandem with population growth. Increases in motorised vehicles lead to high urban traffic congestion, air pollution and health effects such as asthma, cardiorespiratory illness, headaches and cardiorespiratory disorders. The carbon monoxide (CO) released by vehicles acts as a greenhouse gas and is correlated with climate change. The study aims to evaluate and compare CO levels and vehicle counts on Drive Days (DD) and No-Drive Days (NDD) and to analyse the correlation between CO Concentration and vehicle count. The vehicles were counted, and CO concentrations were monitored using a CO meter over a five-year period. The research focused on observing No-Drive Days at Bishop Heber College, where commuters are encouraged to avoid motorised vehicles and to use eco-friendly transport. The number of vehicles has reduced significantly from DDs to NDDs ranging from 36% to 90.3%. On the DD, the CO concentrations were higher than the maximum permissible level signifying the need to take measurements. However, the CO levels have reduced on NDDs with a mean of 1.52 mg/m3 well below the maximum permissible level. The investigation concluded that a decrease in vehicle numbers decreased the atmospheric CO concentration. The organisation and execution of No-Drive Days, as well as participant support greatly influence the level of success and sustainability of such initiatives.