Traffic Data for Integrated Project-Level PM2.5 Conformity Analysis.

PDFTech ReportFHWA/OH-2014/9SJN 134662Traffic dataData collectionMicrosimulationAir quality managementPollutantsParticulatesCase studiesConformityOhioOhio. Dept. of Transportation. Office of Statewide Planning and ResearchWei, HengLiu, HaoLu, MingmingCoifman, Benjamin A.University of Cincinnati. Dept. of Civil/Architectural Enginerring and Construction ManagementUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionAs required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the MOVES model is the mandatory emissiontool for new PM hot-spot analyses for project-level conformity determinations that began after December 20, 2012.Localized traffic data inputs to the model are crucial in maximizing its capability to accurately reflect the PM2.5 emissions associated with transportation programs and projects. However, accurately acquiring local trafficoperating related data for project-level MOVES analysis is always a challenge to realistic practices. To address theissue, the three existing traffic data sources in Ohio that can be used as inputs for the MOVES model have beenidentified and analyzed through the project. The first one is referred to as the ATR data source, which containshourly or 15-minute traffic volume and vehicle composition. The second one, PVR data source, provides individualvehicle\ue2\u20ac\u2122s timestamp, class and speed information. The third one is the micro-simulation data source, whichincludes individual vehicle\ue2\u20ac\u2122s class, speed profile and acceleration profile. The applicability of the available datasources has been evaluated by using the sample data collected on the I-275 freeway in Cincinnati, Ohio.Specifically, the roadside PM2.5 concentration is estimated based on the sample traffic data and the modeledconcentration is compared to the observed data. The compared results indicate that the PVR data source ispreferred for the project-level PM2.5 analysis. It requires less effort to collect and provides the most accurate resultswhen compared to other data sources. The normalized mean-square-error of the modeled concentration can bereduced by 30.5% if the PVR data are used with the operating mode distribution data prepared based on thesimulation data source. Finally, an easy-to-use computer tool in the ArcGIS environment, termed as Traffic AirEnvironmental Health Impact Analysis (TAEHIA) supporting system, has been developed to facilitate theapplication of the identified data sources into the PM2.5 conformity analysis conforming to the ODOT and U.S. EPAguidelines. The TAEHIA system is designed to: 1) incorporate the traffic data sources available in Ohio; 2)implement the PM2.5 conformity analysis steps as recommended by the EPA hot-spot conformity analysisguideline; and 3) simplify users\ue2\u20ac\u2122 tasks in the conformity analysis. The application of the TAEHIA system has beendemonstrated in two case studies. As shown by the case studies, it is a user-friendly, straightforward way toanalyze the transportation conformity within the TAEHIA environment