1. Air Quality 101 FHWA Environmental Conference Air Quality Specialists: Mike Roberts Karen Perritt Emily Biondi June 16, 2008

2. Meet The Air Quality TST Kevin Black Baltimore Michael Claggett, Ph.d Santa Fe Mike Roberts Atlanta Jeff Houk Lakewood Joon Byun, Ph.d Baltimore Karen Perritt Baltimore Robert O’Loughlin San Francisco

3. Air Quality TST http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/airquality/courses.cfm

4. Topics Overview of Air Pollution Air Quality Basics Introduction to Transportation Conformity Project-Level Transportation Conformity Requirements Exercise

5. Schedule and Logistics AM Session 8:00 am – 9:30 am 9:30 am – 10:00 am break 10:00 am – 11:30 am Lunch PM Session 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm break 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Restroom Locations

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Overview Of Air Pollution

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Emissions/Pollutants Mobile Source Stationary SourceBiogenic Total Emissions Overview Of Air Pollution

13. Total Emissions Mobile SourceStationary SourceBiogenic OnroadNonroadPointAreaBiogenic Pollutant Categories Overview Of Air Pollution

14. Biogenic Emissions from natural sources Overview Of Air Pollution

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Motor Vehicles As A Source of Air Pollution Evaporative Emissions Refueling Losses Exhaust Emissions Crankcase Losses, etc. Overview Of Air Pollution

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Air Quality Basics Transportation-Related Pollutants

23. Air Quality Basics Carbon Monoxide Odorless, colorless gas Caused by incomplete combustion of fuel 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

24. Air Quality Basics Ozone & Precursor Pollutants Some of the criteria pollutants like O 3 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.

25. 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

26. 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

27. Particulate Matter Air Quality Basics Complex pollutant PM 10 and PM 2.5 Direct and secondary formation Other pollutants are precursors Point sources are largest contributor Serious health implications

28. Air Quality Basics Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSATs) MSATs are emitted from mobile sources and have 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

29. 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

30. Air Quality Basics Precursor Pollutants Ozone (O3)PM10PM2.5NO2 NOx Ammonia (NH3) VOC Sulfur oxides (SOx) Criteria pollutants PRECURSORPRECURSOR

31. 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

32. Nonattainment Counties for Ozone and PM 2.5 NAAQS Source: USEPA Air Quality Basics

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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 of other pollutants? Name one for ozone. When and why is a Maintenance Plan created?

39. Air Quality Basics Summary Air 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.

40. Air Quality Basics

41. Introduction to Transportation Conformity

42. Topics Overview Applicability Requirements

43. 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

44. 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

45. 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

46. Transportation Planning Metropolitan 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

47. Transportation Conformity: What pollution does it address? Transportation conformity addresses air pollution from on-road mobile sources. Stationary Sources On-Road Mobile Sources Area Sources Off-Road Mobile Sources Applicability

48. Applicability of Transportation Conformity All nonattainment / maintenance areas for these pollutants and appropriate precursors: –Ozone (O 3 ) –Carbon monoxide (CO) –Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) –Particulate matter less than 10 micrometers (PM 10 ) –Particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5 ) Applicability

49. Pollutants and Precursors Direct Emissions NOxVOC Ammonia (NH 3 ) Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) Ozone (O 3 ) PM 10 PM 2.5 NO 2 CO Criteria pollutants Precursor Emissions Applicability

50. 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 & PM 2.5 ) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conform.htm

52. 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

53. Exempt Projects Projects 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

54. 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

55. 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

56. Who is Responsible for Conformity?  U.S. DOT (FHWA/FTA)  Metropolitan Planning Organizations  State DOT –Projects outside MPO boundaries  US EPA - consultation role Requirements

57. 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

58. 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

59. 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, assumptions Well-coordinated schedules for TIP/Plan conformity determinations and SIP development Requirements

60. 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

61. 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.

62. Project-level Transportation Conformity Requirements: An Overview

63. Topics General Project-level Requirements Hot-spot Analysis Requirements

64. 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

65. 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

66. 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

67. 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

68. 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

69. What do we mean by “project”? All phases necessary for implementation Entire project as defined by NEPA: Logical termini Independent utility Not restrict alternatives

70. Exempt Projects Projects 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

71. Project-Level Conformity and Hot-Spot Analyses Hot-spot analyses requirements apply as part of project-level conformity for FHWA/FTA projects in CO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 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

72. What is a Hot-Spot Analysis? Estimation of likely future localized CO, PM 10, and PM 2.5 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, PM 10, and PM 2.5 nonattainment and maintenance areas Hot-Spot Analyses 40 CFR 93.101

73. Localized Violations In CO, PM 10, and PM 2.5 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

74. 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

75. 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

76. Horizons for Hot-Spot Analyses Hot-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

77. 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

78. Projects & NEPA Interactions 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)

79. 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

80. 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

81. Quiz True 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.

82. Quiz Project-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

83. Air Quality 101 Project-level Air Quality Analyses NEPA

84. 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)

85. 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

86. 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

87. Applying the Guidance FHWA 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

88. A word on PM 2.5 … Effective December 2006, EPA revised the PM 2.5 24-hour standard 65  g/m 3 → 35  g/m 3 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

89. 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

90. Questions? Comments?