CO Categorical Hot-Spot Finding
February 26, 2014
Regulatory Background
A CO categorical hot-spot finding was included in the January 24, 2008 transportation conformity amendments final rule at 40 CFR
93.123(a)(3) and explained in the preamble at
73 FR 4432-4434
Conformity Rule Summary
DOT, in consultation with EPA:
- May choose to make a categorical hot-spot finding that 40 CFR 93.116(a) is met without further hot-spot analysis for any project requiring a hot-spot analysis based on appropriate modeling
- May consider the current air quality circumstances of a given area in categorical hot-spot findings for applicable FHWA or FTA projects
Signed February 12, 2014
Application
- To rely on the finding as part of a project-level conformity determination
- A project's parameters must fall within the acceptable range of modeled parameters
- The project sponsor will need to look at each approach within the intersection(s) separately
- Project sponsors have two options:
- Use the table which will be in the appendix to the memo; OR
- Enter the project information into FHWA's web based tool
- Each approach must fall within the acceptable range for all the parameters
CANNOT USE: If one or more parameters are outside the acceptable range for any of the intersection approaches
Project Parameters
- CO maintenance area
- Urban area
- State other than California
- Intersection(s) needing analysis
- Traffic and geometric design data for each approach
- Analysis year
- Offset distance of closest receptors
- Ambient temperature
- CO background concentrations
- Persistence factor
Project Level Conformity
Determination Documentation
- Project sponsors need to:
- Explain that they relied on FHWA's CO categorical hot-spot finding to meet CO hot-spot analysis requirements
- Clearly show how they were able to rely on the finding (noting source of project information)
- Include or reference the results from FHWA's web based tool OR
- Include or reference the appendix to the finding memo
- Document that the existing interagency consultation and public involvement process was used to consider whether the application of the finding is appropriate for the project
Website
Under FHWA's Conformity Website
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/conformity/policy_and_guidance/cmcf/index.cfm
Contact
Emily Biondi
emily.biondi@dot.gov
202-366-9482
