State On-Road Mobile Source Emissions Reductions Report - Massachusetts
The information below summarizes the TPM On-Road Mobile Source Emissions Reductions performance measure. Per 23 CFR 490, State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are required to establish 2- and 4-year targets for this measure. The targets should represent the anticipated condition/performance at the mid-point and end of the 4-year performance period. State DOTs establish targets at the beginning of each 4-year performance period, and report on progress every two years. When establishing targets, State DOTs have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate. FHWA encourages States to review data sets and trends and consider factors that may affect targets. Performance targets should be data-driven, realistic, and attainable and should align with the performance management framework and legislative intent.
The targets and discussion of basis for targets, optional adjustment of targets, progress, and planned activities were provided by the State DOT in its most recent biennial performance report. FHWA has not edited this information. It is provided to help bring context to the State DOT’s performance targets and progress. Any questions about the information should be directed to the State DOT.
Data reported by State DOTs was collected in the previous year, representing the condition/performance at the time of collection. Thus, in the tables and graphs below, FHWA labels data with the year representing the condition/performance, rather than the year the data was reported. The same thing is done for the targets--the year represents when the corresponding actual condition/performance data will be collected, not reported. More Information.
Total Emission Reduction Measure is the 2-year and 4-year cumulative estimated emission reductions, for all CMAQ funded projects, of each applicable criteria pollutant (ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)) and precursor (volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx)) for which the area is designated nonattainment or maintenance (23 CFR 490.807). See the example below:
- The 2021 baseline presents the cumulative 4-year emissions reductions in the baseline period from Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 through FY2021 as provided by the state DOT in the Baseline Performance Period Report.
- The 2023 actual presents the cumulative 2-year emissions reductions from FY2022-FY2023 as provided in the CMAQ Public Access System.
- The 2023 target presents the state-selected target of expected cumulative 2-year emissions reductions from the midperiod performance period FY2022-FY2023
- The 2025 actual presents the cumulative 4-year emissions reductions from FY2022-FY2025 as provided in the CMAQ Public Access System
- The 2025 target presents the state-selected target of expected cumulative 4-year emissions reductions from the full performance period FY2022-FY025.
The CMAQ Public Access System (PAS) and associated annual CMAQ project reporting process make available searchable CMAQ project information from 1992 to present. These data were used for other, non-performance management purposes during the fiscal years before FY 2018. In 2015, FHWA made changes to the CMAQ database to accommodate legislative amendments to title 23, U.S.C. (see 23 U.S.C. 149(i)(1)), and to improve functionality. State-level baseline emissions reductions calculations for FY 2014-2017 may vary from PAS-reported values for a number of reasons, such as change in nonattainment/maintenance area status within the baseline period, individual project data entry errors, and other state-level modifications. Future performance calculations are expected to have increased consistency with the application of PAS data for performance management beginning in FY2018.
Emission Reductions for NOx through CMAQ Projects
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Emission Reductions for NOx through CMAQ Projects 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Condition/Performance 0.490 -- -- -- -- Targets -- -- 0.000 -- 0.000
Emission Reductions for NOx through CMAQ Projects
- Basis for Targets
- 2-yr Progress
- Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
- 4-yr Planned Activities
- 4-yr Progress
Because the Waltham component of the NewMo Phase 2 project is the only one that meets relevant criteria for being included in the total emissions reduction measure, and because the City of Waltham is only in nonattainment for CO, NOx reductions were not calculated for this project. There are no other currently-programmed CMAQ-funded STIP projects in nonattainment or maintenance areas for which NOx is a criteria pollutant.-
Data Sources:
Massachusetts 2022 Biennial Performance Reports
CMAQ Public Access System
Emissions Reductions for CO through CMAQ Projects
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Emissions Reductions for CO through CMAQ Projects 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Condition/Performance 6.637 -- -- -- -- Targets -- -- 0.354 -- 0.354
Emissions Reductions for CO through CMAQ Projects
- Basis for Targets
- 2-yr Progress
- Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
- 4-yr Planned Activities
- 4-yr Progress
To set targets for this performance measure, MassDOT staff, in coordination with staff from Massachusetts' MPOs, reviewed the FFYs 2022–26 and FFYs 2023–27 STIPs to identify any projects partially or fully funded with CMAQ dollars; are expected to be obligated between FFYs 2022–25; and will be in or that serve air quality maintenance or nonattainment areas.Since Massachusetts only has five areas in this category, staff identified one project that meets these three criteria the NewMo Microtransit Service Expansion Project, which is funded through the Boston MPO’s Community Connections program and is scheduled to receive funding in FFYs 2023–25. NewMo uses on-demand, dynamically routed microtransit technology operated by Via to serve residents, students, and employees in Newton.
The City of Newton first applied to the Community Connections program for funding to expand its microtransit service for seniors to provide shared first- and last-mile rides between the Wells Avenue Business District and three MBTA lines (including access to the Needham Heights commuter rail station in Needham), before expanding citywide. The Boston MPO has provided CMAQ funding for this service through the Community Connections program in FFY 2021 and 2022 and will provide additional funding in FFY 2023, per the FFYs 2023–27 TIP. During this phase, the City’s operating partner, Via, has started to transition the vehicle fleet from hybrid to all-electric vehicles. For the purposes of managing funding and performing air quality analysis, this NewMo citywide expansion project is considered Phase 1 for MPO funding and air quality analysis purposes.
The City of Newton has more recently applied to the Community Connections program for funding for the NewMo Microtransit Service Expansion Project. This expansion, which is considered Phase 2 for MPO air quality analysis and funding purposes, will provide service to the Moody Street and MBTA commuter rail station area in Waltham as well as stops in Watertown, Wellesley, Weston, and potentially Boston. The new service to Waltham means that this NewMo Phase 2 project meets all relevant criteria to be measured as part of the total emissions reduction measure. This project will also add additional drivers and complete the fleet transition to electric vehicles, which will help meet increasing demand and provide zero-emission service.
When applying for funds for the Community Connections program, project proponents provide expected values for service-related metrics based on available information and projections. MPO staff use these values and other assumptions to conduct an air quality analysis that estimates the expected air quality benefits of the service, including anticipated reductions in CO emissions. These calculations use estimates of the following information CO emissions from the expanded service; days of operation per year; anticipated ridership and number of trips; average trip distance and service mileage; and CO emissions associated with replaced SOV trips.
Boston MPO staff calculated the air quality benefits for the Phase 1 project, which serves Newton and the Needham Heights commuter rail station, separately from Phase 2, which will provide service to Waltham, Watertown, Weston, and Wellesley (and possibly Boston). Both phases of the project demonstrated air quality benefits, which were calculated for CO, CO2, NOx, and VOCs. For the NewMo Phase 2 project, these calculations (performed in May 2022) resulted in an estimated average of 1.417 kilograms of CO reduced per day. In advance of the NewMo Phase 2 service beginning operation and generating ridership and trip statistics for further analysis, MPO staff assume that the four municipalities that are confirmed to have connecting service—Waltham, Watertown, Weston, and Wellesley—will receive an equal share of the air quality benefits. As a result, MPO staff estimated that the NewMo Phase 2 project will reduce 0.354 kilograms of CO per day in Waltham (the MPO’s now expired limited maintenance area).
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Data Sources:
Massachusetts 2022 Biennial Performance Reports
CMAQ Public Access System
Emissions Reductions for VOC through CMAQ Projects
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Emissions Reductions for VOC through CMAQ Projects 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Condition/Performance 0.534 -- -- -- -- Targets -- -- 0.000 -- 0.000
Emissions Reductions for VOC through CMAQ Projects
- Basis for Targets
- 2-yr Progress
- Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
- 4-yr Planned Activities
- 4-yr Progress
Because the Waltham component of the NewMo Phase 2 project is the only one that meets relevant criteria for being included in the total emissions reduction measure, and because the City of Waltham is only in nonattainment for CO, VOC reductions were not calculated for this project. There are no other currently-programmed CMAQ-funded STIP projects in nonattainment or maintenance areas for which VOC is a criteria pollutant.-
Data Sources:
Massachusetts 2022 Biennial Performance Reports
CMAQ Public Access System