Research & Analysis
A variety of research has been conducted by FHWA, EPA, HEI and others related to all aspects of MSAT. Links to FHWA sponsored ongoing studies and analysis of MSAT in the near road environment are provided below.
Case Studies
Quantitative Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) analysis performed to fulfill National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements are done using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's emissions model MOVES, and in California EMFAC. Five case studies were developed to highlight how project sponsors approached various aspects of modeling MSAT emissions estimates at the project level, including the affect network, and MOVES inputs.
NOTE — These documents are disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for use of the information contained in these documents.
Current Research
- National Near Road Study - The FHWA, in conjunction with US EPA and a consortium of State departments of transportation, is studying the concentration and physical behavior of mobile source related emissions at two sites in the United States.
- Health Effects Institute - HEI is a nonprofit corporation chartered in 1980 as an independent research organization to provide high-quality, impartial, and relevant science on the health effects of air pollution. FHWA provides a grant to HEI.
Supporting Analysis
- A Methodology for Evaluating Mobile Source Air Toxic Emissions Among Transportation Project Alternatives (or PDF - 375 KB) - This paper provides the results of an analysis of air toxic emissions due to mobile sources for a hypothetical transportation project designed to mitigate traffic congestion. The example project involves the expansion of an existing urban freeway, plus upgraded arterial/collectors and freeway ramps to improve vehicular access.
- An Examination of Mobile Source Air Toxics – The first graph shows how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has regulated heavy-duty truck emission standards, resulting in dramatically reduced pollution from new vehicles. The second graph shows the hypothetical emission impacts for a highway widening project.
- US 95 Case Study - This paper was written to assist the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in better understanding the contributions of on-road mobile sources to air toxics problems at the regional and local, or "hotspot," scale.
- Strategic Workplan for Air Toxics Research - This strategic workplan for air toxics research is designed to provide direction for the research on air toxics being undertaken by and on behalf of the transportation community. It identifies a set of four research focus areas and describes program areas where research is needed to most effectively develop needed information and tools and to target resources.
