Grantee Research Project Results
2018 Progress Report: Evaluating the Timeline of Particulate Matter Exposure from UrbanTransportation and Land-Use Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies Using aNovel Modeling Framework
EPA Grant Number: R835885Title: Evaluating the Timeline of Particulate Matter Exposure from UrbanTransportation and Land-Use Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies Using aNovel Modeling Framework
Investigators: Rowangould, Gregory
Institution: University of New Mexico
Current Institution: University of Vermont
EPA Project Officer: Keating, Terry
Project Period: January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018 (Extended to December 31, 2021)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2018 through December 31,2018
Project Amount: $335,605
RFA: Particulate Matter and Related Pollutants in a Changing World (2014) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air , Climate Change , Early Career Awards
Objective:
The aim of the proposed research is creating a clearer picture of how changes in land-use patterns and transportation systems affect population exposure to particulate matter (PM) pollution from vehicle traffic. The research also aims to understand how the timing of land-use and transportation system changes, particularly those strategies intended to mitigate climate change, affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and cumulative exposure to PM emissions. Finally the research will consider how well changes in PM emission inventories, which are widely used to assess improvements in air quality, correspond to changes in PM exposure.
Progress Summary:
During year three we also continued to evaluate how changes in transportation systems, land-use and transportation policy may affect both greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and exposure to PM2.5 from vehicle traffic. This research was conducted using the Albuquerque, New Mexico's area MPO's travel demand and land-use simulation models. We modeled two new transportation and land-use planning scenarios for the region that are designed to reduce GHG emissions through the year 2040 and evaluated them to determine their GHG mitigation potential and how they would affect exposure to PM2.5 emissions from vehicle traffic. We find potential to reduce GHG emissions through transportation system design, policy and land-use change but that some scenarios may increase PM2.5 emissions exposure relative to other planning scenarios (exposure is much lower in future years than it is currently under all scenarios we have evaluated). Changes in traffic and land-use patterns with these scenarios also means that patterns of exposure to PM2.5 change – possibly affecting exposure levels of various population subgroups. We also find that by 2035 all our scenarios predict that GHG emissions from transportation will be increasing after an initial period of declining emissions.
We also created and modeled five transportation and land-use scenarios to evaluate how autonomous vehicles (AVs) may affect GHG emissions and exposure to PM2.5 emissions from vehicle traffic in the region. We find that AVs are likely to increase vehicle travel and reduce traffic congestion. These two changes result in increasing GHG emissions but declining PM2.5 emissions. However, some areas experience greater PM2.5 emissions and exposure due to changes in traffic and land-use patterns.
During year three we also began evaluating how the frequency of land-use and travel demand model interaction affects outputs. This analysis is ongoing.
Future Activities:
We have now developed, tested, and used all the modeling methods required to complete the project's 7 main tasks and answer the 5 research questions we posed in our research proposal. We plan to complete all remaining project tasks during the 4th year.
Over the remaining period of this project we plan to use our dynamic modeling approach to evaluate year 2020 and 2040 planning scenarios in the Atlanta region. We also plan to complete a more in-depth analysis of the results we have already obtained, as well as future modeling results, focusing on disparities in exposure by land-use, activity, and socioeconomic characteristics. We aim to identify population subgroups that have unique exposure patterns and disproportionately high exposures. We also aim to identify how changes over time affect exposure components (activities and places contributing to average daily exposure) and the exposures of different population subgroups. This will help us understand how long range transportation plans may change exposure patterns and possibly identify more effective mitigation strategies.
We also plan to model a wide range of alterative land-use and transportation planning scenarios for the Albuquerque region as outlined in our research proposal. The purpose of these scenarios will be to identify effective means to mitigate GHG emissions while also minimize exposure to PM2.5 from vehicle traffic. We will also be completing more in-depth analysis of our current and future modeling results to understand exposure disparities by land-use and socioeconomic characteristics.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 16 publications | 6 publications in selected types | All 6 journal articles |
---|
Type | Citation | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
Tayarani M, Poorfakhraei A, Nadafianshahamabadi R, Rowangould G. Can regional transportation and land-use planning achieve deep reductions in GHG emissions from vehicles? Transportation Research Part D:Transport and Environment 2018;63:222-235. |
R835885 (2017) R835885 (2018) R835885 (Final) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
Tayarani M, Nadafianshahamabadi R, Poorfakhraei A, Rowangould G. Evaluating the cumulative impacts of a long range regional transportation plan:particulate matter exposure, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation system performance. Transportation Research Part D:Transport and Environment 2018;63:261-275. |
R835885 (2017) R835885 (2018) R835885 (Final) |
Exit Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
Dispersion Modeling, Mobile Sources, Travel DemandProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.
Project Research Results
- Final Report
- 2020 Progress Report
- 2019 Progress Report
- 2017 Progress Report
- 2016 Progress Report
- Original Abstract
6 journal articles for this project