Air Quality 101
FHWA Environmental Conference
Air Quality Specialists:Mike RobertsKaren PerrittEmily Biondi
June 16, 2008
Meet The Air Quality TST
Kevin BlackBaltimore
Michael Claggett, Ph.dSanta Fe
Mike RobertsAtlanta
Jeff HoukLakewood
Joon Byun, Ph.dBaltimore
Karen PerrittBaltimore
Robert O’Loughlin San Francisco
Air Quality TST
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/airquality/courses.cfm
Topics
• Overview of Air Pollution
• Air Quality Basics
• Introduction to Transportation Conformity
• Project-Level Transportation Conformity Requirements
• Exercise
Schedule and Logistics
• AM Session8:00 am – 9:30 am9:30 am – 10:00 am break10:00 am – 11:30 am
• Lunch
• PM Session1:00 pm – 2:30 pm2:30 pm – 3:00 pm break3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
• Restroom Locations
Introductions
• Name and where you work
• What part air quality and/or air quality analysis plays in your job
• Your experience level with air quality issues
• Course expectations
Instructors
• Mike Roberts, 404.562.3928, [email protected]
• Karen Perritt, 410.962.0720, [email protected]
Participants
Learning Outcomes
1. Describe basic air quality concepts and terms as they relate to highway transportation.
2. Identify air pollutants and source categories.
3. Define transportation conformity and list the major requirements.
4. List the requirements for project-level conformity.
Overview Of Air Pollution
What is Air Pollution?
Contaminants present in air in large enough concentrations as to have an adverse impact on public health or welfare.
Overview Of Air Pollution
Historical Perspective
•Early man’s use of fire
•Air Pollution control proposed in England in 1306
•Predominate air pollution problem began during the industrial revolution
•First control efforts appeared in the U.S. in 1880
•Rapid increase in the number of autos
Overview Of Air Pollution
Historical Perspective
•Emergence of air pollution problems
•Muse Valley (Belgium) 1930
•Appearance of “smog” in LA – 1940’s
•Donora, PA episode in 1948
•London fog of 1952
•Bhopal (India) 1984
Overview Of Air Pollution
Emissions/Pollutants
Mobile Source Stationary Source
Biogenic
Total Emissions
Overview Of Air Pollution
Total Emissions
Mobile Source Stationary SourceBiogenic
Onroad Nonroad Point AreaBiogenic
Pollutant Categories
Overview Of Air Pollution
Biogenic
Emissions from natural sources
Overview Of Air Pollution
Stationary or Point Sources
Point sources are large individual stationary facilities that exceed certain thresholds such as power plants, oil refineries and chemical plants.
Overview Of Air Pollution
Area Sources
Area sources are stationary sources that do not qualify as point sources due to the amount of emissions they generate.
Examples include: gas stations, dry cleaners, and bakeries. Also includes open burning.
Overview Of Air Pollution
Mobile Sources: On Road
On-road Mobile Source refers to vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles that are licensed to operate on public road and highway facilities.
Overview Of Air Pollution
Motor Vehicles As A Source of Air Pollution
EvaporativeEmissions
RefuelingLosses
ExhaustEmissions Crankcase
Losses, etc.
Overview Of Air Pollution
Mobile Sources: Non-Road
Non-road Mobile Source refers to sources that are not certified to operate on public road and highway facilities.
Overview Of Air Pollution
Air Quality Basics
Regulatory Framework
• Clean Air Act
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
– NAAQS are set for “criteria” pollutants - those that adversely affect human health and safety
– NAAQS are set at levels to ensure adequate protection of the public
Air Quality Basics
For a summary description of each of the pollutants, visit http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/greenbk/o3co.html
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Air Quality Basics
Pollutant Concentration Type of Average
Carbon Monoxide
10 mg/m3 (9 ppm) 40 mg/m3 (35 ppm)
8-hour (with one exceedance per year) 1-hour (with one exceedance per year)
Ozone .075 ppm (’08) std
0.08 ppm (’97) std 8-hour Average
Particulate Matter PM-2.5
15 g/m3 35 g/m3
Annual Average 24-hour
Particulate Matter PM-10
150 g/m3 24-hour5
Transportation-Related Pollutants
Air Quality Basics
Carbon Monoxide
• Odorless, colorless gas
• Caused by incomplete combustion offuel and air
• 85% - 95% of total in urban areas is emitted from motor vehicles
• Reduces the transport of oxygen through the bloodstream
• Affects mental functions and visual acuity, even at low levels
• Improvements are being made but there are still problems in some urban areas
On-Road57%Industry
19%
Combustion11%
Miscellaneous6%
Off-Road7%
Air Quality Basics
Ozone & Precursor Pollutants
Some of the criteria pollutants likeO3 have “precursor” pollutants.
These are other compounds that contribute to the formation of the criteria pollutant.
For example, ozone is formed when NOx and VOC react in the presence of sunlight.
Air Quality Basics
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• General term for a wide range of hydrocarbon compounds including air toxics
• VOCs result from combustion processes and evaporation of gasoline vapors, solvents, etc.
• They contribute to Global Warming
On-Road27%
Industry52%
Combustion4%
Miscellaneous4%
Off-Road13%
Nitrogen Oxides
Air Quality Basics
• NOx results from high temperature combustion processes, e.g. cars and utilities
• Provides the dominate yellow-brown color in smog
• They affect the respiratory system
• They play a major role in atmospheric reactions
• Overall levels unchanged but transportation sources are cleaner
On-Road30%
Industry4%
Combustion46%
Miscellaneous1%
Off-Road19%
Particulate Matter
Air Quality Basics
•Complex pollutant
•PM10 and PM2.5
•Direct and secondary formation
•Other pollutants are precursors
•Point sources are largest contributor
•Serious health implications
Air Quality Basics
Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSATs)
• MSATs are emitted from mobile sources andhave the potential for serious health effects
• EPA identified a group of 21 compounds of concern that are emitted from motor vehicles
• Of these, six were identified as significant contributors to national emissions of hazardous air pollutants
• In our Interim Guidance on Air Toxic Analysis in NEPA Documents, FHWA refers to these as the 6 Priority MSATs
• There are no national ambient air quality standards for Air Toxics
Air Quality Basics
Priority MSAT Compounds
Acetaldehyde – probable human carcinogen
Acrolein - Unknown
Benzene - known human carcinogen
1,3 Butadiene – known human carcinogen
Diesel Particulate Matter – known human carcinogen
Formaldehyde – probable human carcinogen
Air Quality Basics
Precursor Pollutants
Ozone (O3) PM10 PM2.5 NO2
NOx
Ammonia (NH3)
VOC
Sulfur oxides (SOx)
Criteria pollutants
PRECURSOR
Air Quality Basics
NAAQS and Nonattainment Designations
• Made individually for each criteria pollutant
• Plans must be created to bring the area back into attainment (SIP)
• When an area achieves attainment of the NAAQS:
– Areas can request redesignation as a “Maintenance Area”
– Maintenance areas are required to have a plan to maintain the standard for 20 years
Nonattainment Counties for Ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS
Source: USEPA
Air Quality Basics
What is a SIP?
Air Quality Basics
• The SIP is an air quality plan that explains how the state with attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
• SIP are required by the Clean Air Act and prepared by the State and approved by the US EPA
• A SIP is not a document, per se, but a collection of regulations and other measures
• SIPs provide for the implementation and enforcement of emission control measures from all source categories
Transportation Related Elements of the SIP
Air Quality Basics
Major transportation-related elements include:• On-road mobile source inventory• Motor vehicle emissions budget• Transportation control measures
Air Quality Basics
• Transportation Conformity 101
• CMAQ Program Overview (Webinare)
• Air Quality Benefit Estimation Methodologies For CMAQ Projects
• Air Quality Dispersion Modeling
• Air Quality Fundamentals • Highway Traffic Noise Analysis Workshop
Additional Training
Air Quality Basics
Additional Training
•MOBILE6.2 Emissions Modeling
•Motor Vehicle Emission Factor Modeling (MOVES)
•Pollution Dispersion Models (Caline, Cal3QHc)
We also offer training in:
•Implications of Air Quality Planning for Transportation - NHI
•Estimating Regional Mobile Source Emissions - NHI
•Transportation Conformity - NTI
Air Quality Basics
• Air Quality TST Web Site
• Air Quality CoP
• Southern Transportation and Air Quality Summit (STAQS)
• Northern Transportation and Air Quality Summit (NTAQS)- Baltimore, MD Aug. 13-15, 2008- www.marama.org/ntaqs
Other Resources
Air Quality Basics
Section Review
What is a criteria pollutant?
Name three categories of pollutant sources.
Which of the following is not a criteria pollutant:Pb, Na, PM10, O3?
What do we call pollutants that aid in the formation ofother pollutants? Name one for ozone.
When and why is a Maintenance Plan created?
Air Quality Basics
SummaryAir Pollution is defined as contaminants in air in large enough concentration as to have an adverse impact on health or welfare
Emissions are broken down into several categories and subcategories such as mobile, point and biogenic.
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are set for criteria pollutants to ensure the public’s health and welfare.
Mobile Source Air Toxics are a fraction of the total HC emissions and there are no national standards for these in ambient air.
Nonattainment areas are areas that do not meet one or more of the NAAQS. Maintenance areas are former nonattainment areas that must meet certain requirements to ensure they continue to meet standards.
Air Quality Basics
Introduction to Transportation Conformity
Topics
• Overview
• Applicability
• Requirements
Transportation Conformity• Required by the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments
• Ensures that Federal funding and approval are given to transportation activities that are consistent with air quality goals
Overview
Transportation Conformity: A Clean Air Act Requirement• The Clean Air Act requires that transportation plans,
transportation improvement programs (TIPs) and projects must conform to the purpose of the SIP.
• Conformity to a SIP means that such activities will not:
– Cause or contribute to any new violations of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)
– Increase the frequency or severity of NAAQS violations– Delay timely attainment of the NAAQS
Overview
Air Quality Planning Transportation Planning
CONFORMITY
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP)
Transportation Conformity: A Link Between Transportation and Air Quality Planning
Overview
Transportation PlanningMetropolitan Transportation Plan (Plan)
• Long-range planning document
• Covers at least 20 years
• Includes major investments
• Updated at least every 4 years in nonattainment and maintenance areas
Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• Short-term planning document
• Covers at least 4 years
• Serves as priority list of projects
• Updated at least every 4 years
Overview
Transportation Conformity: What pollution does it address?
Transportation conformity addresses air pollution from on-road mobile sources.
StationarySourcesOn-Road Mobile Sources
AreaSources
Off-Road Mobile Sources
Applicability
Applicability of Transportation Conformity• All nonattainment / maintenance areas for these
pollutants and appropriate precursors:– Ozone (O3)
– Carbon monoxide (CO)
– Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
– Particulate matter less than 10 micrometers (PM10)
– Particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5)
Applicability
Pollutants and Precursors
Direct
EmissionsNOx VOC
Ammonia (NH3)
Sulfur Dioxide
(SO2)
Ozone (O3)
PM10
PM2.5
NO2
CO
Cri
teri
a p
ollu
tan
ts
Precursor Emissions
Applicability
How do I find nonattainment and maintenance areas in my State?• Go to EPA’s greenbook:
http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/greenbk/
• See FHWA maps: (8-hour ozone & PM2.5)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conform.htm
Transportation Actions Subject to Transportation Conformity
• Metropolitan transportation plans
• Metropolitan transportation improvement programs (TIPs)
• Federal projects
– projects receiving FHWA/FTA funding
– projects receiving FHWA/FTA approval
Applicability
Exempt ProjectsProjects exempt from conformity (40 CFR 93.126)
• e.g., safety, mass transit (with limitations), air quality projects
Projects exempt from regional emissions analysis (40 CFR 93.127)• e.g., intersection channelization, interchange reconfiguration
Traffic signal synchronization projects (40 CFR 93.128)
Applicability
When is Conformity Required?Conformity must be determined:
• At least every 4-years in nonattainment and maintenance areas
• Prior to approval / acceptance of a transportation plan, a TIP, and plan / TIP amendments
Requirements
When is Conformity Required? (con’t)Conformity must be determined:
• Prior to approval of federal projects– Federal projects involving FHWA/FTA approval or
funding• 24-months after certain SIP actions • 12-months after new nonattainment designation
becomes effective
Requirements
Who is Responsible for Conformity? U.S. DOT (FHWA/FTA) Metropolitan Planning Organizations State DOT
– Projects outside MPO boundaries
US EPA - consultation role
Requirements
Transportation Conformity Requirements• Regional emissions analysis
– (transportation modeling requirements for certain areas)
• Latest planning assumptions and emissions model• Timely implementation of Transportation Control
Measures (TCMs)• Interagency consultation
Requirements
Interagency Consultation • Required in all nonattainment and maintenance areas• Formally integrated into a SIP and legally enforceable by
a state court• Required on the development or modification of
– SIPs– Transportation plans and TIPs, and – Conformity determinations
Requirements
Interagency Consultation• A collaborative process between organizations on key
elements of transportation and air quality planning • Provides a forum for effective state and local planning and
decision making• Ensures all agencies:
– Meet regularly– Share information– Identifies key issues early in the process– Collaboratively make key decisions such as:
Methodologies, assumptionsWell-coordinated schedules for
TIP/Plan conformity determinations and SIP development
Requirements
Public Consultation• Conformity rule does not have separate public consultation
requirements; relies on DOT’s transportation planning regulations• Conformity rule requires all information for conformity determination
to be available at the beginning of the comment period• Conformity rule requires opportunity for public involvement in project
level conformity determinations where otherwise required by law
Requirements
Reminders• Conformity requirements apply in nonattainment and
maintenance areas. • Transportation plans, TIPs, and nonexempt Federal
projects are subject to conformity requirements.• Conformity of the plan and TIP must be determined at
least every 4 years, the same update cycle as for transportation plans and TIPs in nonattainment and maintenance areas.
Project-level Transportation
Conformity Requirements: An
Overview
TopicsGeneral Project-level Requirements
Hot-spot Analysis Requirements
Project-level Conformity – General
• The Clean Air Act prohibits the Federal government from providing financial assistance to any activity which does not conform to an implementation plan.
• Therefore, that transportation projects may only be approved, accepted, or funded by US DOT if the project meets certain CAA requirements.
Requirements
Transportation Conformity: A Clean Air Act Requirement• The Clean Air Act requires that transportation plans,
transportation improvement programs (TIPs) and projects must conform to the purpose of the SIP.
• Conformity to a SIP means that such activities will not:
– Cause or contribute to any new violations of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)
– Increase the frequency or severity of NAAQS violations– Delay timely attainment of the NAAQS
Requirements
General Project-level Conformity Requirements The project comes from a conforming plan and TIP
• Including any necessary written commitments for project-level emissions mitigation or control measures (any included in TIP project design concept and scope)
The design concept and scope have not changed significantly since the conformity finding regarding the plan and program from which the project derived
Analyses use latest planning assumptions and latest emissions model
Includes a hot-spot analysis in CO and PM nonattainment and maintenance areas, if required
Compliance with control measures in PM SIP
Requirements
When Are Project-level Conformity Determinations Required?
• Prior to the first time a Federal project is adopted, accepted, approved, or funded• Examples include:
– NEPA Decision Document (CE, FONSI, ROD)– Final Design– Right-of-Way Acquisition– Construction Authorization
• Typically, project-level conformity is completed as part of the NEPA process (prior to issue of CE, FONSI, ROD)
Requirements
Is Project-level Conformity Ever Redetermined?Yes, if any of the following occur:
• There is a significant change in design concept/scope• More than 3 years have passed since the most recent major step
to advance the project– e.g., NEPA process completion, start of final design,
acquisition of significant portion of right-of-way, and construction (including Federal approval of PS&E)
• Initiation of supplemental environmental document for air quality purposes
40 CFR 93.104(d)
Requirements
What do we mean by “project”?All phases necessary for implementation
Entire project as defined by NEPA:
• Logical termini
• Independent utility
• Not restrict alternatives
Exempt ProjectsProjects exempt from conformity (40 CFR 93.126)
• Project-level conformity not required
Projects exempt from regional emissions analysis (40 CFR 93.127)
• Local effects with respect to CO and PM must be determined prior to making a project-level conformity determination
Traffic signal synchronization projects (40 CFR 93.128)
Requirements
Project-Level Conformity and Hot-Spot Analyses• Hot-spot analyses requirements apply as part of project-level
conformity for FHWA/FTA projects in CO, PM10 and PM2.5 nonattainment and maintenance areas.
• Demonstrates that a transportation project meets Clean Air Act conformity requirements:
– Does not create a new air quality violation or – Worsen an existing violation
What is a Hot-Spot Analysis?• Estimation of likely future localized CO, PM10, and PM2.5 pollutant
concentrations and a comparison of those concentrations to the national ambient air quality standards.
– Localized pollution concentrations
– Smaller scale than regional analysis
– Required for all Federal nonexempt projects in CO, PM10, and PM2.5 nonattainment and maintenance areas
Hot-Spot Analyses
40 CFR 93.101
Localized ViolationsIn CO, PM10, and PM2.5 nonattainment and maintenance areas,
must demonstrate:• No new local violations• Severity/number of existing violations not increased
In CO nonattainment areas also must demonstrate:• Existing violations will be eliminated or reduced as a result of
the project
Hot-Spot Analyses
Projects Requiring CO Hot-Spot Analysis• Federal Projects…
Within a CO nonattainment or maintenance area Not exempt under either 40 CFR 93.126 or 93.128
• A quantitative hot-spot analysis using specific models and data is required for projects:
– At locations identified in the SIP– Affecting intersections w/ level of service D, E, or F
(Intersections that are or will change to LOS)– Affecting any of the three busiest intersections or
intersections with the worst levels of service in the nonattainment or maintenance area
• Qualitative finding may be used for other projects
Hot-Spot Analyses
Projects Requiring PM Hot-Spot Analysis
• Federal Projects…– Within a PM nonattainment or maintenance area– Not exempt under either 40 CFR 93.126 or 93.128 – Projects of air quality concern as defined in 40 CFR
93.123(b)(1)
• Until EPA releases modeling guidance for a quantitative analysis, a qualitative analysis is required following EPA/FHWA’s Qualitative PM Hot-Spot Guidance, available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conformity/pmhotspotguid.pdf
Hot-Spot Analyses
Horizons for Hot-Spot AnalysesHot-spot analyses must consider the full-time frame of transportation
plan (or regional analysis for isolated rural areas)
Areas should examine the year(s) within the plan or regional analysis during which:
– Peak emissions from project are expected, and– A new or worsened violation would most likely occur due to
impact of project emissions and background emissions in project area
Hot-Spot Analyses
Other Hot-Spot Requirements• Concentrations are based on project and background• Includes entire project and major design features which will impact
concentrations• Assumptions consistent with regional analysis• Mitigation must have written commitments• Do not have to consider temporary construction-related emissions
(less than 5 years at a site)
Hot-Spot Analyses
Projects & NEPAInteractions between NEPA and the transportation conformity process:
• Project-level conformity is typically completed as part of the NEPA process
• Project details assumed in the regional modeling process do not preclude the consideration of other options as a result of the NEPA process
• If the NEPA process significantly changes a project, the project must meet certain conformity rule criteria prior to NEPA process completion (e.g., regional conformity may have to be redone)
Typical Project-level Conformity Information• Nonattainment/maintenance area(s)/pollutants • In conforming plan/TIP and/or regional emissions analysis
– Reference MPO analysis, plan, and TIP, and date of US DOT conformity determination
– In donut areas, document if new analysis• Consistency between project design concept and scope and
regional emissions analysis• In isolated rural areas, document analysis• Hot-spot analysis in CO and PM areas, if required• Written mitigation commitments, if any required
Reminders• Federal transportation projects may only be approved, accepted, or
funded by US DOT if the project meets certain requirements.• Project-level conformity is determined prior to the first time a
Federal projects is adopted, accepted, approved or funded.• Hot-spot analysis requirements only apply in CO and PM
nonattainment and maintenance areas.• Project-level conformity may need to be redetermined under certain
circumstances.• For more information on Transportation Conformity, see the
Reference Guide, available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conformity/ref_guid/index.htm
QuizTrue or False: Project-level conformity applies to all
projects in a nonattainment area.
False. Project level conformity only applies to nonexempt projects requiring federal approval or funding.
QuizProject-level conformity is redetermined: (a) Every three years; (b) If there is a significant change in design concept and
scope; (c) If more than three years have elapsed since the last
major step to advance the project; (d) None of these; (e) b and c
Answer: E
Air Quality 101
Project-level Air Quality Analyses
NEPA
NEPA Federal Responsibility• Act as trustees of the environment• Assure safe, healthful, productive, esthetically and culturally
pleasing surroundings• Attain widest range of benefit without degradation or undesirable
and unintended consequences• Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects• Achieve a balance between population and resource use• Enhance the quality of the environment
NEPA Section 101(b)
NEPA Decisionmaking Framework• Use a systematic and interdisciplinary approach• Give appropriate consideration to the environment along with
economic and technical considerations • Include in proposals, a detailed statement on
– environmental impacts of the action– adverse impacts which cannot be avoided– alternatives to proposed action– consequences of taking proposed action
• Consult with Federal agencies• Involve the public
NEPA Section 102
Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSATs)• MSATs are emitted from mobile sources and have the potential for
serious health effects
• Conduct MSAT analysis for projects that:• Are large enough to have likely impacts, and• Potentially impact human population
• See…FHWA Guidance: “Interim Guidance on Air Toxic Analysis in NEPA Documents, February 2006”
– http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/airtoxic/020306guidmem.htm
Applying the GuidanceFHWA has developed a tiered approach for analyzing MSATs in
NEPA documents:• No analysis for exempt projects or projects with no potential
for meaningful MSAT effects;
• Qualitative assessment for projects with low potential MSAT effects;
• Quantitative analysis to differentiate alternatives for projects with higher potential MSAT effects; AADT > 140,000 to 150,000 range and proximity to populations or involve significant levels of diesel particulate matter
A word on PM2.5…• Effective December 2006, EPA revised the PM2.5 24-hour standard
65 g/m3 → 35 g/m3 • Transportation Conformity requirements do not apply to the new
standard until 1 year after designations occur.– See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/generalinfo/rev24hr-
pm25.pdf • For NEPA, review and consider EPA’s June 2007 Memo
Sample of Air Quality Issues Raised for Road Projects• Consideration of health impacts
– Role of recent proximity research– Risk assessment
• Methodology of analysis – Quantitative vs qualitative– Applicability of modeling tools (use of MOBILE6.2)– Updated data/inputs (traffic counts, monitor values,
population growth, etc.)• New information → SEIS?
– Modeling tools– Nonattainment designation– Health-based impacts research
Questions? Comments?
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