Models & Methodologies
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Many different software programs and other modeling techniques are utilized when conducting transportation conformity determinations and related activities. For instance, various EPA models can be used to predict emissions of different pollutants from on-road and nonroad sources, to calculate delays and queues that occur at signalized intersections, and to provide estimates on how commuter benefits can impact vehicle emissions, as well as fuel use and costs. In addition, FHWA has developed some tools based on these models to make emission inventory calculations in rural or small urban areas and to provide user-friendly interfaces to some of the models
All Documents
- MOVES2014 Technical Guidance: Using MOVES to Prepare Emission Inventories for State Implementation Plans and Transportation Conformity (PDF) (EPA, January 2015) - This document provides guidance on appropriate input assumptions and sources of data for the use of MOVES2014 in SIP submissions and regional emissions analyses for transportation conformity purposes.
- Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 and Subsequent Minor Revisions for State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and Other Purposes (PDF) (EPA, July 2014) - This document describes how and when to use the MOVES2014 for SIP development, transportation conformity, general conformity, and other purposes.
- MOVES2014 Questions and Answers (PDF) (EPA, July 2014) This document highlights the differences between MOVES2014 and earlier versions of MOVES and explains EPA policy on using MOVES2014 in State Implementation Plans and Transportation Conformity Analyses.
- Diesel Retrofits: Quantifying and Using Their Emission Benefits in SIPs and Conformity - Guidance for State and Local Air and Transportation Agencies (EPA, February 2014) - Guidance on quantifying and using emission reductions from on-road and nonroad diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment that have been retrofitted with emission reduction technology. This guidance supersedes EPA's June 2006 guidance under the same name.
- Transportation Conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-spot Analyses in PM2.5 and PM10 Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas (EPA, November 2013) - Guidance for modeling the local air quality impacts of certain transportation projects on the PM2.5 and PM10 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This guidance is to be used by state and local agencies to conduct quantitative PM "hot-spot analyses" for new highway and transit projects that involve significant diesel emissions. Update of November 2013: This guidance was originally released in December 2010, and Sections 5, 7.6, and 9.4 have been updated to reflect EMFAC2011 and EPA's 2012 PM NAAQS final rule. The November 2013 guidance supersedes the December 2010 guidance.
- Federal Register Notice of Availability: Official Release of EMFAC2011 Motor Vehicle Emission Factor Model for Use in the State of California (March 2013) - In this notice, EPA is approving and announcing that EMFAC2011 is available to use in statewide California SIP development and for regional emissions analyses and CO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 hot-spot analyses for transportation conformity. EMFAC2011 must be used for all new regional emissions analyses and CO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 hot-spot analyses that are started on or after September 6, 2013.
- MOVES2010a Regional Level Sensitivity Analysis (December 2012) – Prepared by Volpe National Transportation Systems Center for FHWA, this document discusses the sensitivity of various input parameter effects on emission rates using MOVES2010a at the regional level. Pollutants included in the study are CO, NOx, PM2.5, and VOCs.
- MOVES2010b Questions and Answers (PDF) (April 2012) - This document highlights the differences between MOVES2010b and earlier versions of MOVES and explains EPA policy on using MOVES2010b in State Implementation Plans and Transportation Conformity Analyses.
- Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2010 and Subsequent Minor Revisions for State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and Other Purposes (PDF) (April 2012) - This document describes how and when to use the MOVES2010 (and subsequent minor revisions like MOVES2010b) for SIP development, transportation conformity, general conformity, and other purposes.
- Using MOVES to Prepare Emission Inventories in State Implementation Plans and Transportation Conformity: Technical Guidance for MOVES2010, 2010a and 2010b (PDF) (April 2012) - This document provides guidance on appropriate input assumptions and sources of data for the use of MOVES2010, MOVES2010a, and MOVES2010b in SIP submissions and regional emissions analyses for transportation conformity purposes.
- EPA/DOT Training for Quantitative PM Hot-Spot Analyses - EPA and DOT have developed a three-day training course on implementing EPA's "Transportation Conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-spot Analyses in PM2.5 and PM10 Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas. This technical, hands-on course is geared toward state and local agency staff and will focus on using emission models (including EPA's MOVES model) and air quality models (AERMOD and CAL3QHCR) for quantitative PM hot-spot analyses.
- Improving Vehicle Fleet, Activity, and Emissions Data for On-Road Mobile Sources Emissions Inventories (September 2011). Prepared by the University of California at Riverside for FHWA, this report investigates several modeling concepts and methodologies in the MOVES emissions model and explores new data sources and new methods for utilizing existing data sources to improve the emission inventory and analysis of on-road mobile sources.
- FHWA Air Quality Resource Center Training
- Using MOVES in Project-Level Carbon Monoxide Analyses (EPA, December 2010) - This guidance describes how to use the MOVES emissions model to estimate CO emissions from transportation projects, including roadway intersections, highways, transit projects, parking lots and intermodal terminals.
- Federal Register Notice of Availability: Official Release of the MOVES2010a and EMFAC2007 Motor Vehicle Emissions Models for Transportation Conformity Hot-Spot Analyses and Availability of Modeling Guidance (December 2010) – This notice approves MOVES2010a for PM and CO hot-spot analyses (and EMFAC2007 for PM hot-spot analyses in California) with a 2-year conformity grace period. EPA also announced the availability of its final PM hot-spot guidance and CO project-level MOVES guidance.
- Modifying Link-Level Emissions Modeling Procedures for Applications within the MOVES Framework (September 2010) - Prepared by Eastern Research Group, Inc. for FHWA, the primary goal of the study was to ease the transition to the MOVES model by providing both a road map for developing updated emissions inventories, as well as an analysis of the likely impacts of the transition on the emissions inventories themselves.
- Federal Register Notice of Availability: Official Release of MOVES2010 Motor Vehicle Emissions Model for Emissions Inventories in SIPs and Transportation Conformity (March 2010) - This notice approves the use of MOVES2010 in official SIP submissions and starts a two-year grace period before MOVES2010 is required to be used in new regional emissions analyses for transportation conformity determinations outside of California.
- MOVES2010 Mobile Source Emissions Model: Questions and Answers (PDF) (December 2009) - This document describes the model and provides general information for model use.
- Guidance for Creating Annual On-Road Mobile Source Emission Inventories for PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas for Use in SIPs and Conformity (August 2005) - EPA guidance on preparation of annual inventories for PM2.5 SIPs or regional conformity analyses by state and local agencies. It also addresses the possible use of the National Mobile Inventory Model (NMIM) in SIPs and conformity analyses.
- Screening Procedures for Project-Level Hotspot AnalysisScreening Procedures for Project-Level Hotspot Analysis (April 2004) - FHWA Resource Center paper that provides a summary of project-level CO screening procedures developed and adopted by transportation agencies throughout the nation, highlights several innovative practices, and offers recommendations for developing refined screening protocols
- EPA's MOVES (Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator) Website - EPA website for its MOVES software, as well as related presentations and training resources
- EMIT Website - Information about the EMIT model from the FHWA Resource Center
- COMMUTER Programs - EPA website for its COMMUTER Software, as well as related files
- Appendix W to Part 51 - Guideline on Air Quality Models
- Off-Model Air Quality Analysis: A Compendium of Practice - FHWA Resource Center paper about Off-Model methods (analyses performed without the specific use of a Travel Demand Model) being successfuly used in the South
- EPA/FHWA MOVES Training - EPA and FHWA will be offering MOVES training in a number of different formats. Course descriptions and availability are listed on EPA's website.
- EMFAC Software - CARB's website for its EMFAC software, as well as related presentations and training resources
- National Mobile Inventory Model (NMIM) - EPA's website for its NMIM software
- MOVES Research - EPA reports provided on its MOVES website
- User Friendly Version of CAL3QHC - The FHWA Resource Center is designing a new, easy-to-use interface for two air quality models: EPA's California Line Source Dispersion Model (CALINE3) for freeways and the CAL3QHC model for signalized intersections. With the new interface, the models will run on the Microsoft Windows® operating system and will include interactive graphical forms for entering data.
- Microscale and Regional Modeling and Emission Models - Abstracts for products produced by or for the Federal Highway Administration.
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