PM_2.5 PROJECT LEVEL CHECKLIST

The purpose of this checklist is to provide the required PROJECT LEVEL documentation to aid the interagency consultation group in the determination of project type, i.e.

Exempt - Exempt from PM_2.5 project-level conformity determination,
Not Exempt, Not of Concern- Not Exempt, but not of local air quality concern (does not require further analysis), or
Of Concern - Of local air quality concern and, therefore, requiring a hot-spot analysis.

This checklist is only intended as a tool to assist with the PM_2.5 project-level conformity determination and does not replace regulatory requirements in the Transportation Conformity Rule (40 CFR Part 93), nor associated guidance. Any decisions regarding a particular conformity determination or hot-spot analysis will be made based on the statute and regulations, after appropriate public input. A statement regarding the PM_2.5 hot-spot consideration should be included as an element in NEPA documentation. This completed and signed checklist, along with a copy of the PM_2.5 project-level conformity determination, if required, should also be included. Additionally, proof of interagency consultation and public involvement, if required, as well as any other supporting documentation, should be included.

STEP 1: PROJECT IDENTIFICATION

KYTC Six Year Plan Item Number:
Project Name/Short Description:
County:
PM_2.5 Nonattainment or Maintenance Area:
PM_2.5 Designation:
PM_2.5 Standard Associated with Designation:
Additional Project Information:
Information should include, but is not limited to:
1. Purpose and need of the project.
2. Route name, route number, project length, and mile point locations
3. Number of current and future lanes (clearly indicate if any lanes are "turn lane only")
4. Identify as "Capacity Adding" or "Non Capacity Adding" project
5. Identify intersecting roads that will be impacted
NEPA Document Type
Project Sponsor (if "other", describe)
Included in a "Conforming" MPO TIP or STIP?
(MPO-Metropolitan Planning Organization; Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP))
Location of project in TIP/STIP (list name of document and page number or amendment number):

STEP 2: EXEMPT STATUS

NOT AN EXEMPT PROJECT. Go to STEP 3.
EXEMPT PROJECT (those listed in 40 CFR 93.126 and traffic signal synchronization projects under 93.128). IAC review and approval are required to confirm that project is exempt. Select one from the list below. Include IAC review and approval documentation with this checklist, but no PM_2.5 project-level conformity is required and no further documentation is needed. Go to STEP 6.

Air Quality
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
Continuation of ride-sharing and van-pooling promotion activities at current levels

Mass Transit

Construction of new bus or rail storage/maintenance facilities categorically excluded in 23 CFR part 771
Construction of small passenger shelters and information kiosks
Construction or renovation of power, signal, and communications systems
Operating assistance to transit agencies
Purchase of new buses and rail cars to replace existing vehicles or for minor expansion of the fleet. In PM10 and PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance areas, such projects are exempt only if they are in compliance with control measures in the applicable implementation plan
Purchase of office, shop, and operating equipment for existing facilities
Purchase of operating equipment for vehicles (e.g., radios, fareboxes, lifts, etc.)
Purchase of support vehicles
Reconstruction or renovation of transit building and structures (e.g., rail or bus building, storage and maintenance facilities, stations, terminals and ancillary structures)
Rehabilitation of transit vehicles - In PM10 and PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance areas, such projects are exempt only if they are in compliance with control measures in the applicable implementation plan
Rehabilitation or reconstruction of track structures, track, and trackbed in existing rights-of-way

Safety

Adding medians
Emergency relief (23 U.S.C. 125)
Emergency truck pullovers
Fencing
Guardrails, median barriers, crash cushions
Hazard Elimination Program
Increasing Sight Distance
Lighting improvements
Pavement marking demonstration
Pavement resurfacing and/or rehabilitation
Railroad/highway crossing
Railroad/highway crossing warning devices
Reconstructing bridges (no additional travel lanes)
Safer non-Federal-aid system roads
Safety improvement program
Safety roadside rest areas
Shoulder improvements
Skid treatments
Traffic control devices and operating assistance other than signalization projects.
Truck Climbing lanes outside the urbanized area
Widening narrow pavement (no additional travel lanes)

Other

Acquisition of scenic easement
Directional and information signs
Emergency or hardship advance land acquisitions (23 CFR 710.503 (d))
Engineering to assess social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed action or alternative to that action
Noise attenuation
Planting, landscaping, etc
Repair of damage caused by natural disasters, civil unrest, or terrorist acts, except projects involving substantial functional, locational, or capacity changes
Sign removal
Specific activities which do not involve or lead directly to construction, such as:
- Federal-aid systems revisions
- Grants for training and research programs
- Planning activities conducted pursuant to titles 23 and 49 USC
- Planning and technical studies
Traffic signal synchronization (40 CFR 93.128)
Transportation enhancement activities (except rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities)

STEP 3: TRAFFIC INFORMATION

Worst Case Scenario
1. Location (usually an intersection or interchange):
2. Year (usually the open-to-traffic year):
3. Justification for worst case year chosen (include forecasting assumptions):
Project Data
1. Project Data for Current Year
  (use worst case scenario; if at an intersection, include both roadways individually and in total; if at an intersection, average AADT on either side of intersection to obtain AADT for roadway at intersection)
  1. Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT):
  2. Percentage and/or number of diesel vehicles (trucks and buses):
  3. Intersections at Level of Service D, E, or F:
    Level of Service (LOS) refers to a standard measurement used by transportation officials which reflects the relative ease of traffic flow on a scale of A to F, with free-flow being rated LOS-A and congested conditions rated as LOS-F.
2. Project Data for Worst Case Year for No Action Scenario
  (use worst case scenario; if at an intersection, include both roadways individually and in total)
  1. Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT):
  2. Percentage and number of diesel vehicles (trucks and buses):
  3. Intersections at Level of Service D, E, or F:
    Level of Service (LOS) refers to a standard measurement used by transportation officials which reflects the relative ease of traffic flow on a scale of A to F, with free-flow being rated LOS-A and congested conditions rated as LOS-F.
  4. Impact of No Action:
3. Project Data for Worst Case Year for Build Scenario (use worst case year and location; if at an intersection, include both roadways individually and in total)
  1. Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT):
  2. Percentage and number of diesel vehicles (trucks and buses):
  3. Intersections at Level of Service D, E, or F: Level of Service (LOS) refers to a standard measurement used by transportation officials which reflects the relative ease of traffic flow on a scale of A to F, with free-flow being rated LOS-A and congested conditions rated as LOS-F.
  4. Impact of Project:

STEP 4: AIR QUALITY CONCERN DETERMINATION

NOT PROJECT OF AIR QUALITY CONCERN. Hot-spot analysis is NOT required. However, InterAgency Consultation (IAC) approval is required. Provide checklist and other relevant documentation to IAC. IAC will determine level of public involvement required. Use space provided to summarize data and rationale for this conclusion.
(Refer to EPA's March 2006 guidance, EPA420-B-06-902, and FHWA's FAQ document, for complete details).
Go to STEP 6.
PROJECT OF AIR QUALITY CONCERN. Select one from the list below. Hot-spot analysis IS required. Convene interagency consultation (IAC) meeting and begin to create the hot-spot analysis document.
Go to STEP 5.
New or expanded highway projects with a significant number of, or increase in, diesel vehicles (e.g., 125,000 AADT and 10,000 (8%) diesel truck traffic) Note: The example of 125,000 AADT and 10,000 (8%) diesel truck traffic are not exact threshold values and should not be viewed as such.
Project affecting intersections that are at LOS D, E, or F with a significant number of diesel vehicles, or those that will change to LOS D, E, or F because of increased traffic volumes from a significant number of diesel vehicles related to the project.
New bus and rail terminals and transfer points that have significant number of diesel vehicles congregating at a single location.
Expanded bus and rail terminals and transfer points that significantly increase the number of diesel vehicles congregating at a single location.
Projects in or affecting locations, areas, or categories of sites which are identified in the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 applicable implementation plan or implementation plan submissions, as appropriate, as sites of violation or possible violation.

STEP 5: ANALYSIS AND DOCUMENTATION (for Project of Air Quality Concern)

The following is a summary of documentation to be included for PM_2.5 hot-spot analysis and does not replace information that will be provided for a full quantitative analysis if this analysis is required.

Documentation to be Included for the PM_2.5 Hot-spot Analysis

Description of project (location, design and scope; date project is expected to be open, i.e., what part of 93.123(b) (1) applies)
Description of type of emissions considered in the analysis
Contributing Factors
- Air Quality
- Transportation and traffic conditions
- Built and natural environment
- Meteorology, climate and seasonal data
- Adopted emissions control measures
Consider full time frame of area's LRTP
Description of existing conditions
Description of changes resulting from project
Description of method chosen
Description of analysis years
Examine year in which emissions are expected to peak
Profession judgment of impact
Discussion of why project will not cause a violation of either the annual or 24-hour standard
Discussion of any mitigation measures
Written commitments for mitigation
Conclusion on how project meets 40 CFR 93.116 and 93.123

STEP 6: MEETING, NOTICES, DATES

IAC Approval Date:
(Project sponsor is lead; attach meeting minutes, if applicable, and/or hard copies of applicable e-mails showing IAC review request and approval)
Public Involvement
1. Public review & comment period (should be consistent with NEPA process; list dates, and if applicable, attach copy of public notice and newspaper proof of publication):
2. Public concerns addressed (if applicable include hard copy or e-mails with cc to IAC):

STEP 7: SIGNATURES

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project Manager Date

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Division of Environmental Analysis Representative Date

PM2.5 PROJECT LEVEL CHECKLIST