Air Quality Contacts
For more information, please contact Victoria Martinez.
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EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality posted the latest version of the MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator, MOVES3. This state-of-the-science upgrade replaces the MOVES2014 series of models as EPA's latest model for estimating air pollution emissions from cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses, as well as many categories of nonroad equipment. Compared to the previous MOVES2014 modeling tool, MOVES3 allows users to model the benefits from new regulations promulgated since MOVES2014 was released, incorporates the latest vehicle and emissions data, and has improved functionality. The MOVES web page is the source for MOVES3 software as well as MOVES Policy Guidance, MOVES Technical Guidance, and information on MOVES training. December 8, at 3 PM EST, EPA will host a webinar introducing MOVES3.
This report examines the potential for synergistic emissions benefits for groups of projects funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. The key issue being addressed is the extent to which multiple projects might have synergistic effects—i.e., the benefits of the whole set of projects being greater than the sum of the benefits of individual projects. The report: (1) provides information to support State and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) investment and policy decisions involving multiple factors affecting transportation-related outcomes; (2) may be of value to State Departments of Transportation (DOT) and MPOs interested in conducting programmatic assessments of the set of CMAQ projects under review; and (3) lays a framework for testing suites of CMAQ projects for evaluating their combined or synergistic effects towards improving air quality and relieving congestion. The report describes benefits, challenges, and solutions in leveraging potential synergies among CMAQ projects. It provides grouping scenarios and sample menus of projects that might be expected to create synergies, for both metropolitan and statewide levels of application. The Scenario Development report can be accessed here.
Alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) projects, including fleet conversions and refueling infrastructure, are one of the eligible project categories under CMAQ. Alternative Fuel Vehicle projects that receive CMAQ funding can also align with FHWA's Alternative Fuel Corridor Program. The Alternative Fuel Corridor Program designates national electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors; provides alternative fuel corridor signage guidance; encourages multi-State and regional collaboration; and engages a wide array of stakeholders to promote and advance alternative fuel corridors. Several States and local jurisdictions have used CMAQ funds for advancing alternative fuel goals. The AFC Factsheet can be accessed here.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is continuing to develop a series of tools to provide technical support for the implementation of the CMAQ Program. This CMAQ Emission Reductions Calculator is offered as an additional resource to assist departments of transportation (DOTs), metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and project sponsors in the project justification process. All modules are available on the FHWA CMAQ Emissions Calculator Toolkit webpage. For more information, please contact Mark Glaze (Mark.Glaze@dot.gov or 202-366-4053).
Most recently, the Managed Lane Facilities and Conversions tool was updated, and FHWA hosted a webinar to demonstrate the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles and the Dust Mitigation tools. Recordings of these and other training webinars are available via the toolkit website.
MnDOT released ICE 2.1, a spreadsheet model that evaluates the lifecycle energy and emissions from constructing and maintaining transportation facilities. ICE 2.1 uses simplified model inputs and is designed to inform long-range planning and other pre-engineering analysis. The model is also capable of developing ballpark estimates of the benefits from mitigation strategies. ICE 2.1 is an update to FHWA's ICE tool, released in 2014. ICE 2.1 was completed as part of a pooled fund strategy that included additional support from FHWA and the Departments of Transportation in New York, California, Colorado, Iowa, Washington State and Texas.
The AASHTO CMAQ Task Force is holding monthly teleconferences, open to all AASHTO members. The task force is a forum for communications, guidance, and resources focused on the CMAQ program, providing recommendations and support to State DOTs. The CMAQ task force meetings are a venue to engage fellow AASHTO members, and FHWA provides regular updates at each monthly meeting. For further information, please contact the AASHTO Committee on Planning (committeeonplanning@aashto.org) or visit the task force website.
On January 22, 2021 from 2:00-5:00 EST, representatives from 11 Resilience and Durability to Extreme Weather Pilot Projects will present on the findings and lessons learned from their studies in a workshop as part of the TRB Annual Meeting. The interactive workshop will include time for questions and discussion with the pilot participants. The eleven projects addressed one or more of three areas related to deploying resilience solutions: Integrating resilience and durability into agency practices; using available tools and resources to assess the vulnerability and risk of transportation projects or systems; and deploying a resilience solution and monitoring performance.
FHWA hosted a webinar on June 24, 2020, delving into two steps critical to building nature-based solutions for coastal highways: finding partners and finding funding. Speakers from FHWA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the Delaware DOT (DelDOT) discussed available funding and partnership opportunities to support these strategies. A webinar recording and additional information are available via FHWA's Resilience Webinars and Nature-Based Resilience for Coastal Highways webpages.
FHWA's Resource Center Environment, Air Quality & Realty Team is available to offer MOVES and other trainings. Please contact Mike Claggett, at Michael.Claggett@dot.gov, for additional information or to discuss scheduling a training.
Several web-based transportation conformity training opportunities are available on-demand from FHWA's conformity training website (under "Web-based Training"). These training opportunities range in level of detail from a short 27-minute video providing a high-level basic overview of transportation conformity to a detailed set of 32 self-directed training modules. Recordings of two webinars are available: basic transportation conformity overview (June 12, 2018, 70 minutes) and basic MOVES emissions model training (June 18, 2018, 42 minutes).
The target audience for these training materials are FHWA staff and State and local transportation partners (MPOs and State DOTs) who are either new to or would like a refresher training on the conformity process. For questions, please contact David Kall, at david.kall@dot.gov, or 202-366-6276.
FHWA posted a 27-minute YouTube video on the CMAQ program. The video provides a basic introduction to the program, how CMAQ funds are distributed to States, and the types of projects eligible for the CMAQ program. The training is available via FHWA's YouTube channel. For more information about the CMAQ program, please contact Mark Glaze at mark.glaze@dot.gov or (202) 366-4053.
The FHWA Resource Center Environment, Air Quality & Realty Team will be conducting a series of training sessions on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Air Quality Analysis for Highway Projects. The training includes sessions on project-level applications appropriate for managers and practitioners, as well as hands-on sessions intended for modelers. Please note this is not a general MOVES training course, but is focused on project-level applications. It is not intended to address regional applications, such as State Implementation Plan (SIP) emissions inventories or regional (plan and transportation improvement plan) conformity analyses. If you are interested in this training, please contact Michael Claggett at michael.claggett@dot.gov.
FHWA held a pilot for the TNM 3.0 virtual training course on November 4th and 5th. We are reviewing the feedback and expect to offer this course through the Resource Center on a regular basis starting in 2021. The training course will include an introduction to TNM 3.0, an overview of the new interface and features, and hands-on exercises. Participants must have TNM 3.0 installed on their computer, their computer mouse must have a scroll wheel, and it is highly recommended that participants use two computer monitors.
FHWA has started a TNM Playlist on its YouTube Channel, with 6 initial videos. These videos demonstrate how to install TNM, set up a project, and begin to conduct basic tasks in the software. More videos will be posted throughout the year and each will be a short-format demonstration of 1 or 2 specific topics relating to using TNM. To access the playlist please visit the TNM Training page. For technical assistance with TNM please contact TNMHelp@dot.gov.
The National Highway Institute (NHI) Air Quality Planning web-based training series is designed for transportation practitioners. It includes four modules: Clean Air Act Overview (FHWA-NHI-142068), SIP and Transportation Control Measure (TCM) Requirements and Policies (FHWA-NHI-142069), SIP Development Process (FHWA-NHI-142070), and Transportation Conformity (FHWA-NHI-142071). All courses are free. For more information, visit the NHI website and search "Air Quality Planning," or look for the specific course number. Please contact Karen Perritt at (202) 366-9066, or Karen.Perritt@dot.gov with any questions or comments.
Past issues of the Air Quality and Sustainability Highlights are available on FHWA's website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/conformity/highlights/ or https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/newsletter/.
Please e-mail Victoria.Martinez@dot.gov with any suggestions for future issues.
