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, michael.roberts@fhwa.dot.gov

• Karen Perritt, 410.962.0720, karen.perritt@fhwa.dot.gov

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?