CARTEEH’s research program includes a collaborative program with joint projects conducted by consortium members, a competitive program administered by individual consortium members, and a strategic program. These projects together address important research needs that synergize the expertise of the various partners.
Our current collaborative, competitive, and strategic research projects are listed below.
Quantification of traffic-related emissions and exposures at U.S.-Mexico Border Crossing using real-time mobile sensors (UTEP-05-57)
Lead: University of Texas at El Paso
As the urban population continues to grow, a greater number of people risk exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), and therefore also risk adverse health effects. The impacts of traffic-related and regional industrial pollution on the health of community residents are of particular concern in the border cities of PdN. Traffic-related air pollution is especially prevalent in cities with multiple ports of entry (POE) such as El Paso, Texas. Border crossings present additional challenges for both sides of the border, including economic, social, and health issues. Long delays of idling commercial and passenger vehicles are common at many POE. Exposure to traffic emissions related to border crossing occurs while people are waiting in line or on foot to cross the border.
Children’s Exposure to Traffic Pollution in Texas School Districts: Analyzing Social Disparities and Adoption of Mitigation Strategies (UTEP-05-51)
Lead: University of Texas at El Paso
This project seeks to analyze social disparities in exposure of school-aged children to vehicular air pollution and examine the adoption of mitigation strategies for reducing school exposure to vehicular pollution, across public school districts in Texas.
Quantifying the Environmental and Health Impacts of Curbside Management for Emerging Multi-modal Mobility Services (UCR-05-49)
Lead: University of California, Riverside
The proposed research aims to investigate how curbside management strategies may help address traffic bottlenecks on roads and sidewalks due to intensive pick-up/drop-off (PUDO) activities, thus mitigating the environmental and health impacts on vulnerable road users (VRUs) resulting from vehicular emissions. In this project, the research team will develop an integrated simulation platform in SUMO to model the microscopic interactions between different modes, estimate the vehicular emissions and pollutant dispersion, quantify human exposure for VRUs, and determine the effectiveness of different curbside management strategies in terms of environmental and health impacts. The research team will use a case study to demonstrate the model capability.
Develop a performance metric to quantify the inhalation of traffic-related air pollutants at both mesoscale and macroscale (UCR-05-48)
Lead: University of California, Riverside
The project proposes to develop a performance metric to quantify the inhalation of traffic-related air pollutants at both mesoscale (e.g., neighborhoods, cities) and macroscale (e.g., census tracts, metropolitan regions). The metric can assess the inhalation of specific primary traffic-related pollutants. The metric can be evaluated for a given population group (e.g., school children, stay-at-home residents, workforce), at a given microenvironment (e.g., indoor or outdoor), at a given time span (e.g., typical work day or summer season). The metric can be readily aggregated and disaggregated at user-defined dimension for different purposes. the metric can also reflect the influence of technology advancement (e.g., electric vehicles, connected and automated vehicles) and other game-change factors.
Impacts of COVID-19 Induced Active Transportation Demand on the Built Environment and Public Health (TTI-05-47)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Active transportation has been acknowledged as a healthy, low-impact physical exercise that can reduce the risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle and can be enjoyed by people of different socioeconomic backgrounds. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, more Americans chose to bicycle and walk as a safer transportation mode to reduce exposure to the virus by maintaining social distancing. The El Paso MPO reports that cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City observed significant increases in active transportation users both during and after the lockdown period. Like other cities across the USA, El Paso implemented a contingency plan by converting the traffic lanes to dedicated bike lanes in order to meet the increasing demand. These policies may have significant impact on public health. Despite the many well-documented health benefits of active transportation (CARTEEH Brief on Transportation and Health: A Conceptual Model), sharing the roads with motorized traffic can expose the bicyclist and pedestrians to various traffic-related risks, including injury risks, and potential increases in exposure to noise, and air pollutants. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that traffic fatalities involving non-motorized users increased in recent years. Traffic-related air pollutants may also negatively impact non-motorized users’ health, although the net impacts are highly context-specific. These risks are known to be context-specific and have been shown to depend on baseline concentrations of air pollutants and noise levels, which is partly determined by the study area and the trip routes. However, the synthesis of the literature suggests that overall, the health benefits of active transport through the pathway of increased physical activity strongly outweigh the detrimental effects of traffic incidents and air pollution exposure on health, while less is known about noise exposure with suggestions that it declines when road users switch to active transportation. In this project we will comprehensively evaluate the health impacts for active transport use in order to provide city and state transportation, planning, and public health agencies with data-driven tools and recommendations for implementing bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to meet this new demand and maintain a healthy and sustainable built environment. This project aims to answer the following three objectives:
1. Estimate the COVID-19-induced active transportation demand
2. Assess its potential health benefits and harms of active transport through four pathways (i.e., increasing activity, traffic crashes, air pollution, and noise) as well as other less-known benefits such as stress relief and mental health.
3. Develop data-driven tools and recommendations for implementing a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to meet and maintain this new demand
Locational Marginal Emission Evaluation for Electric Vehicle Charging Facility Planning (UTEP-05-46)
Lead: University of Texas at El Paso
The overarching goal of this project is to develop a framework for hazardous gas LME evaluation and EV environmental impact mitigation. The framework will include an accurate LME evaluation model for hazardous gases, such as SO2 and NOx, and an optimization model to identify EV charging facility locations that will minimize hazardous gas emissions. This framework will provide guidance for infrastructure planners so that they can keep public health in mind and choose low-emission locations for EV charging facilities. The project includes two objectives:
(1) Develop an accurate hazardous gas LME evaluation model for power systems.
(2) Develop a model to analyze and mitigate the impact of EV charging on hazardous gas emissions from power systems.
Understanding Modal Shift during the Pandemic and Quantifying its Public Health Impact (JHU-05-45)
Lead: Johns Hopkins University
The goal of this study is to provide useful insights for policymakers in transportation and health departments on travel behavior changes during the pandemic. The research and analysis will be based on data from a national survey fielded in the Spring.
Our research plan is structured as follows: (1) characterize modal shifts during the pandemic by transportation mode and transportation use; (2) identify significant factors influencing mode shift during the pandemic; (3) model the short-and long-term public health impacts of mode shift occurring during the pandemic. Through this work, we seek to provide actionable information to practitioners on viable pathways for increasing active transportation and the best environments for doing so. This work will also provide intuitive metrics on how transportation mode shift during the pandemic impacted public health.
Instant COVID-19 Diagnostic Devices on the Go to Improve Transportation Safety (UTEP-05-44)
Lead: University of Texas at El Paso
Public health can impact transportation significantly. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of such serve cases, which has resulted in a 96% reduction in air travelers from April to July 2020. Instant early detection of coronavirus on the go can prevent the wide spread of COVID-19 in public transportation vehicles, thus improving transportation health and safety. Therefore, this project aims to develop an “on-the-Go” COVID-19 quantitative diagnostic microdevice integrated with reverse transcription–LAMP (RT-LAMP) for instant early detection of COVID-19 in public transportation vehicles to improve transportation safety.
Port Houston Electrification Feasibility and Benefit Analysis Using TEMPO (TTI-05-42)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Fleet electrification plays an important role in achieving regional climate and air quality goals. As the largest port on the Gulf Coast, Port Houston (POH) provides the great potential of fleet electrification due to its high truck volume and equipment movements each day. The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of truck fleet and equipment electrification at POH. The electrification feasibility includes two aspects (1) the technological and operational barriers of electrification; (2) the fleet-wide benefits of electrification. Furthermore, this study will improve modeling capabilities related to port operations and emissions.
Applying SMART to Assess Green Space, Transportation and Health at the Dallas Southwestern Medical District (TTI-05-41)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
CARTEEH’s SMART initiative, and the 14 Pathways research project, provide an ideal opportunity for demonstrating the benefits of green space interventions and multimodal transportation such as those contained in plans for the Dallas Southwestern Medical District (SWMD). In this work, we are initiating a research collaboration in this area which can provide a one-of-a-kind, real-world test bed and real-world context-specific data on the benefits of green spaces and multimodal transportation solutions. We will apply and potentially expand the newly developed SMART framework and toolkit to the selected case study in the Dallas Southwestern Medical District, leveraging some existing work and contacts with the City of Dallas, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the Texas Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Texas Trees Foundation (TTF), with who the research team has already established working relations. The project has 5 goals: 1) demonstrate how selected portions of the SMART framework and toolkit can be used to assess transportation infrastructure projects, 2) establish the baseline conditions before the implementation of the SWMD projects under the Urban Streetscape Master Plan across 5 selected pathways with important health implications, 3) engage with stakeholders to CARTEEH’s SMART initiative, and the 14 Pathways research project, provide an ideal opportunity for demonstrating the benefits of green space interventions and multimodal transportation such as those contained in plans for the Dallas Southwestern Medical District (SWMD). In this work, we are initiating a research collaboration in this area which can provide a one-of-a-kind, real-world test bed and real-world context-specific data on the benefits of green spaces and multimodal transportation solutions. We will apply and potentially expand the newly developed SMART framework and toolkit to the selected case study in the Dallas Southwestern Medical District, leveraging some existing work and contacts with the City of Dallas, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the Texas Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Texas Trees Foundation (TTF), with who the research team has already established working relations. The project has 5 goals: 1) demonstrate how selected portions of the SMART framework and toolkit can be used to assess transportation infrastructure projects, 2) establish the baseline conditions before the implementation of the SWMD projects under the Urban Streetscape Master Plan across 5 selected pathways with important health implications, 3) engage with stakeholders to achieve various outcomes, 4) document potential health outcomes of the assessed pathways to health, in baseline conditions and 5) develop a cross-cutting document with all the above information.
Developing a SMART Framework and Practitioner Toolkit to Enhance the Public Health Benefits of Transportation Infrastructure (TTI-05-40)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The goal of this task of the SMART initiative is to expand the conceptual SMART framework that CARTEEH has developed and identify a range of qualitative and quantitative metrics for transportation-health pathways, which will be based on the 14 Pathways to Health (1) that have been developed by CARTEEH researchers. Activities conducted in this task include:
Ongoing engagement with stakeholders to ensure framework meets the needs of practitioners and can be easily and usefully implemented in the planning of transportation infrastructure.
• Literature review to document existing frameworks for public health, including those developed by transportation professionals and public health professionals.
• Research on and development of metrics for transportation-health pathways to determine the public health impacts and benefits of transportation infrastructure projects. Measures will be oriented to practitioners, user friendly, and will be applicable to transportation infrastructure. Metrics will utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures to provide a wide range of stakeholders the ability to utilize the framework regardless of their agency’s technical expertise.
• Research on and documentation of strategies, methods, models, and practitioner’s guidance that transportation agencies can implement to improve the health impacts of transportation infrastructure projects for each of the transportation-health pathways.
• Preparation of implementation plan for development of a web-based tool for application of framework by practitioners.
Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality and Mortality across Continental United States – A Data Driven Approach (TTI-05-39)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
This study aims to integrate observational air quality data from EPA and other state agencies monitoring networks with satellite data and epidemiological studies to quantify, on short-term and long-term scales, the health benefits of the lockdown measures imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team will analyze the role of different emission sectors and systems as well as the role of meteorology in contributing to the observed decrease in PM2·5 concentrations.
The research team will compare the mortality burden from COVID-19 to the avoided deaths resulting from improved air quality. In addition, the human, social, and political dynamics leading to different risk perceptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic versus a global environmental crisis will be explored, and the implications of these differences for policy making.
Economic Impacts of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Expansion on Texas Metros (TTI-05-38)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
In 2019, U.S. electric vehicle (EV) sales hit 300,000 and some estimates expect that number to increase to 2 million by 2050; this has significant implications for not only transportation, but the economy, environment, and health outcomes. Increased investment in clean technologies leads to improved environmental and health outcomes but also jobs and greater spending in the regional economy. Economic impacts contribute to the triple bottom line of sustainability and enable local governments and transportation agencies to justify the cost of an investment. This research project will produce a tool that utilizes both benefit-cost and economic impact modelling to show the benefits that could arise with an increased investment in electric vehicle infrastructure. The tool will allow policy makers to enter basic scenario data regarding the type of infrastructure installation, cost, and regional transportation information (e.g., average trip length, number of trips) for metro areas in Texas to demonstrate the potential benefits and economic impacts.
Feasibility Analysis and Infrastructure Requirements of Affordable, Shared, and Electric Mobility (TTI-05-37)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
This study assesses the feasibility of providing electric shared EV service to middle- and low-income households that live in multi-unit communities in Texas. The feasibility of electric car-sharing services will be demonstrated using a case study of Houston, Texas, with daily travel information collected from the regional travel demand model (TDM). The regional household travel data from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Activity-based Model (ABM) will be used to identify shared EV trips and scoping the shared EV plans for designated neighborhoods. In addition, key stakeholders, such as local shared mobility service provider, property manager, potential users, and utilities, will be interviewed for understanding the potential barriers and opportunities during the application. The outcome pf this project provides a service plan and cost-benefit assessment for selected neighborhoods and paves the road for a future pilot program.
Runners air pollution exposure assessment using Low-cost Wearable (LCS) Sensors (TTI-05-36)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
This study aims at assessing runner’s TRAP exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 along alternative travel routes in the City of College Station, where Texas A&M University is located. The study attempts to bridge a gap in the literature by employing emerging low-cost sensor technology to implement a community-based air quality monitoring approach and study the relationship between exposure levels to air pollution, and influence of key parameters (traffic, meteorology, and route taken etc.)
In recent years, emerging wearable low-cost sensors have offered the possibility to cover larger samples and provide time-specific contribution based on crowd-sourced data and this has the potential to revolutionize the way air pollution data has been collected and reported. The goal of this study is to use micro/low-cost sensors to implement a community-based air quality monitoring approach to enhance traditional air quality monitoring. Real-time air quality maps that will be developed will help to better understand actual exposure experienced by runners and use the findings for outreach and communication.
Transportation as a Disease Vector – A Modeling Approach (TTI-04-35)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Transportation plays a major role in the global spread of disease. It increases the range of movement and the spatial diversity of the infected and exposed individuals, and in the case of public transportation, forces people into prolonged contact in a confined, closed environment. Public transportation vehicles and infrastructure can also facilitate the indirect transmission of pathogens. This study extends traditional epidemiological models by specifically addressing the indirect disease transmission mechanism in the transportation context, by addressing infections that occur when vulnerable people become infected through contact with fomites. A stochastic agent-based modeling approach that models’ infections due to local person-to-person and person-to-vehicle interactions was used in this study to assess the potential impact of policies such as vehicle disinfection or social distancing.
Improved Vehicle Emissions and Near-Road Dispersion Modeling Tool for Project Evaluation: Integrating MOVES-Matrix, FEC, and AERMOD (GT-03-30)
Lead: Georgia Institute of Technology
The research team will develop a Python-based and SQL-based modeling tool that links the two emissions models developed by Georgia Tech team (MOVES-Matrix and the FEC) with the USEPA’s preferred dispersion model (AERMOD). The inclusion of MOVES-Matrix and the FEC enables the tool to estimate emissions for both conventional vehicles (using MOVES-Matrix) and alternative fueled vehicles (using the FEC). In contrast to the direct use of AERMOD, which requires users to manually convert the unit of emission rates to the per unit area emission strength required by AERMOD to identify the coordinates of polygon nodes that approximate the road geometric design and to compile all those input data into the cumbersome AERMOD format, the tool will automate all these processes. Such automated linkage will enhance the connectivity between emission rate models and dispersion models, and thus minimize data processing errors due to the complex procedures. Sensitivity analyses using this tool should also help to identify modeling uncertainties that may arise from the dynamic nature of traffic and the near-roadway atmospheric environment.
Modeling Air Quality Impacts of Pollution Mitigation Scenarios at an Inland Freight Transfer Facility (GT-03-29)
Lead: Georgia Institute of Technology
This study uses Arena simulation tool to develop a detailed model of internal activities in a typical inland rail and truck intermodal facility. The estimated energy consumption changes and related emission from the port’s subsystems will be used in AERMOD model the local air quality and dispersion of pollutants. Therefore, the study will be able to match different mitigation scenarios with the potential effect on air quality in the neighboring areas.
Onboard Sensing, Analysis, and Reporting (OSAR): Expanded Field Demonstrations and Development of Associated Visual Aids (UCR-03-28)
Lead: University of California, Riverside
The goal of the research is to expand the time for the field demonstration for the mini-PEMS and to develop a visual aid that would provide for provide a visual characterization of emissions on both a spatial and temporal basis. This would allow the scope of the OSAR research to be broadened considerably in terms of scope and stakeholders. Additionally, this would further spur the industry into a solution that includes instrumenting all new heavy-duty trucks with ideas for retrofitting older ones depending on feedback from the agencies.
Association of Traffic and Related Air Pollutants on Cardiorespiratory Risk Factors from Low-Income Populations in El Paso, TX (UTEP-03-27)
Lead: University of Texas at El Paso
The health effects of air pollution from outdoor environments are of great concern due to the high exposure risk even at relatively low concentrations of air pollutants. Traffic emissions from the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez border crossings make up a sizable portion of the mobile vehicle emissions in El Paso, Texas. This project aims to integrate air quality and traffic data with large epidemiological study results conducted in the El Paso region, and to develop associations between cardiorespiratory outcomes and traffic-related data (air quality and traffic-related activities). The dissemination of results can lead to decision making and improve policy related to healthy living in communities close to busy roadways.
Making New Mobility a “Win” for Public Health (JHU-03-26)
Lead: Johns Hopkins University
This project aims to develop and validate a framework for city officials to guide decision-making related to the health impacts of new mobility. The framework will be developed through using a combination of epidemiology and simulation modeling. To give our work practical application, we will develop and apply the framework in the context of a pilot implementation of a new mobility intervention in South Baltimore as part of the South Baltimore Go! Project. This project has the overall goal of improving access to jobs, healthy foods, and medical services using new mobility services.
Trace Metals in Airborne Particulate Matter and Genomic Characterization of Associated Microorganisms: Insights into Health Effects from an Industrialized, Near-Roadway Site in Houston (TTI-03-25)
Lead: Texas A&M University
This project focuses on PM10 prevalent at an air monitoring site adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel and Interstate Highway 610; Clinton Drive. The main goal of this study is to simultaneously measure major/trace metals and microorganism diversity in airborne coarse particulate matter. We will quantify vehicular contributions to PM10 by analyzing aerosols’ elemental composition. Additionally, state-of-the-art next generation sequencing tools and 16S rRNA gene sequencing will be implemented to evaluate airborne microorganism diversity and prevalence in PM10 in the proximity of roadways.
Development of an Emission-based Selection Algorithm to Optimize Variable Message Signs Location (TTI-03-23)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Variable message sign (VMS) is a key component of intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies, and more specifically, a real-time traveler information tool. Estimated travel time on freeways, corridor congestions, construction and maintenance schedules, special events instructions, and incident notifications can be conveyed through VMS. Previously, it was indicated that the highest performance gain and emission saving occur when the VMS locations are wisely selected. Therefore, this project will introduce and develop a transferable bi-level emission-based algorithm to select the optimal VMS locations within a network, which assures the environmental benefits in large-scale as well as saving money and time on finding the optimal locations. The integration of non-recurring congestion data into a simulation-based emission optimization algorithm and life-cycle cost analysis for the selection of optimal VMS locations are the unique features of this platform. The developed platform will finally be applied and tested in El Paso, Texas, and can benefit transportation agencies by facilitating the selection of optimal VMS locations, improving regional air quality, and reducing operational costs.
Fouteen Pathways Between Urban Transportation and Health: A Conceptual Model, Literature Review, and Burden of Disease Assessment in Houston (TTI-03-21)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
This project will conceptualize and document the linkages between transportation and health. It will also quantify the impact of transportation on health (indicated by premature mortality) for the linkages which are supported by a robust evidence base: air pollution, noise and motor vehicle crashes. Houston, Texas will be used as case study. Finally, the results will be visualized in the form of easy to grasp and compare maps for the different linkages/pathways.
Urban Policy Interventions to Reduce Traffic Emissions and Traffic-Related Air Pollution: A Systematic Evidence Map (TTI-03-20)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
As the urban population continues to grow, a greater quantity of people risk exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), and therefore also risk-averse health effects. In many cities, there is scope for further improvement in air quality through targeted local policy interventions. The objective of this systematic evidence map is to identify policy interventions at the urban-level that can be implemented by local authorities to effectively reduce traffic emissions and/or TRAP from on-road mobile sources, thus reducing human exposures and adverse health impacts.
Technology Landscape and Future Direction for Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (TTI-03-18)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
This project aims to develop a roadmap for technology development and implementation in transportation emissions, energy and health, in the context of emerging transportation sector trends. The project will identify technologies currently available or under development in both software and hardware. Further, the project will identify transition partners and stakeholders in private and public sectors. Based on such a landscape view, the project will further identify technologies with high potential to advance research and practice in the area of transportation emissions, energy and health and, the transition pathways for such. The technology landscape will also reveal gaps in research and development and in technology transfer. The final research products will be 1) a summary document outlining current technology status, research gaps, and key stakeholders in transportation emissions, energy and health and 2) an action plan focusing on testing and measurement in emerging transportation trends such as electric vehicles and automation.
Transportation Emissions, Air Pollution, Exposures, and Health Literature Library (TTI-01-17)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
This project develops a literature library which is intended as a resource for students, researchers and practitioners interested in the area of transportation and health, especially the impact of transportation emissions and air pollution on human health. It currently contains a reference list of over 1000 scientific studies addressing the full-chain of events between transportation pollution sources and health impacts. It tabulates several attributes for each study, including the citation details, the publication type, topic area, and type of study. The literature library is periodically updated to include new studies as they become available.
Development of CARTEEH Curriculum for Transportation Emissions, and Health: Phase I (TTI-01-16)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH) has developed a unique, cross-disciplinary course titled “Traffic-Related Air Pollution: Emissions, Human Exposures, and Health.” The curriculum consists of 60 lectures and a pool of primary and back-up lecturers have been identified for each of the planned lectures. The course is intended to form the basis for a three-credit-hour graduate-level course offered by consortium member institutions and targeted at students and practitioners in the areas of urban planning, transportation planning, transportation policy, transportation engineering, geography, environmental sciences, environmental epidemiology, environmental policy, and public health. However, the course’s individual lectures are designed to stand alone, and as such, they can be mixed and matched to be transferable to other locations and other purposes. The course is designed to equip participants with cutting-edge knowledge and the skill sets required to understand, assess, and quantify road traffic, vehicle emissions, traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), human exposures, biological mechanisms, associated health effects, and population-based impacts and their societal costs. Further, the course will specifically explore the role of current knowledge in environmental regulation and real-world policy making and practice.
Quantifying Traffic Congestion-Induced Change of Near-Road Air Pollutant Concentration (UCR-01-15)
Lead: University of California, Riverside
Traffic congestion exacerbates the ambient air pollution by contributing a large amount of additional fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions. However, the relationship between the prevailing traffic condition and local air pollutant concentration is not well quantified in previous literature. The primary goal of this study is to quantify the contributions to the ambient air quality degradation due to traffic congestion. The study will use real-time traffic characteristics and ambient air quality data from monitoring sites to develop and validate a statistical model that can be used to understand the air quality impacts of traffic congestion.
Secondary Particulate Matter Exceed Primary Emissions from Current Gasoline Vehicles: Air Quality and Public Health Implications (UCR-01-14)
Lead: University of California, Riverside
Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology is becoming increasingly popular among vehicles in the market today. While there is relatively little-established knowledge on GDI vehicle emissions, studies have raised concerns relating to PM emissions, as well as the generation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrated-PAHs. Another aspect that has not been investigated in detail is the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation, which is also a contributor to airborne PM. This study will characterize the primary emissions and the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from current technology gasoline direct injection (GDI) and port fuel injection (PFI) vehicles when operated under different driving cycles, through in-use emissions testing and the use of a mobile atmospheric chamber and oxidation flow reactor to assess secondary aerosol formation.
Quantifying Potential Impacts of Bioavailable Metals and Potential Dust Emissions from Highway-Related and Desert Sediments at Lordsburg Playa, New Mexico (UTEP-01-13)
Lead: University of Texas at El Paso
In dry regions, blowing dust causes air quality issues, and also has environmental, health and safety impacts on traffic and transportation infrastructure. The project uses land-surface and geophysical field-based testing and characterization methods to assess the changing localized dust emission potentials in different microenvironments of Lordsburg Playa. The study also assesses relative exposures to bioavailable airborne metals from transportation and other activities. The data and findings will be synthesized using GIS to inform stakeholders of potential health hazards from transportation-related vs. natural and mining‐related dust and metal exposures at Lordsburg Playa and provide insight into other areas in the Western US, where numerous routes cross dry lake beds and/or dust hotspots.
Dockless Mobility (TTI-01-12)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The fourth-generation or “Dockless mobility,” has been the biggest disruptive force in the bike-share industry solving the “first-last” mile issue of connecting people to/from transit and other destinations. With their high adoption levels combined with little to no regulation regarding their usage, these users are driving along with motorized vehicles exposing them to major concerns. In addition to safety concerns, exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is an important factor because scooter users are vulnerable to harmful air pollution due to their direct exposure to vehicular exhaust and increased breathing rate during riding. This study aims to answer key research questions related to understanding the travel behavior patterns and TRAP exposure of dockless scooter users specific to the City of Austin.
Characterizing In-Cab Air Quality in Heavy Duty Diesel Construction Equipment (TTI-01-11)
Lead: Texas A&M University
The goal of this project is to collect and analyze air quality data inside cabs of heavy-duty diesel construction equipment. Virtually nothing is known about indoor air quality (IAQ) in heavy duty diesel (HDD) construction equipment cabs. Previous research on other vehicles such as school buses found that intrusion of the vehicle’s own exhaust into the cab after emission from the tailpipe is a significant source of passenger exposure to diesel-related pollutants. This study will provide empirical evidence regarding the infiltration of emissions, IAQ and operator exposure in HDD construction equipment cabs.
Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Childhood Asthma in the United States: A Burden of Disease Assessment (TTI-01-10)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Asthma is a chronic airway disease characterized by episodes of coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. Around 6 million children in the United States are affected by asthma, making the condition the most common chronic lung disease in childhood. Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) may be an important exposure contributing to the development of childhood asthma. Yet the burden of incident childhood asthma, attributable to TRAP, is poorly documented. This study builds on past research and models to estimate the burden of incident childhood asthma, attributable to traffic-related air pollution within the contiguous United States.
Measuring Temporal and Spatial Exposure of Urban Cyclists to Air Pollutants Using an Instrumented Bicycle (GT-01-09)
Lead: Georgia Institute of Technology
Increased use of active transportation can make direct and indirect contributions toward addressing health concerns arising from sedentary lifestyles and other societal transportation issues. However, in the process of cycling for transportation, cyclists themselves are exposed to pollutants that could adversely impact their health. The goal of this study is to better understand local cyclist exposure to air pollutants and variations by route and time of day. Data collection will be done using an instrumented bicycle, and the pollutant exposure of cyclists on parallel routes between major origin‐destination pairs will then be mapped.
Particulate Matter Exposure for Paratransit Transport (GT-01-08)
Lead: Georgia Institute of Technology
Paratransit transport typically provides transportation options for seniors and individuals that cannot access the fixed route bus or rail system. As the US population ages, there is an increasing number of people with limited transportation options, who have to rely on services such as paratransit. Little is known about the emissions characteristics of paratransit vehicles, and the exposures faced by paratransit riders, both onboard the vehicles and while waiting at stops. This study will characterize the Particulate Matter (PM) emissions exposures inside the cabin of paratransit buses, as well as in waiting areas, and provide an understanding of the exposures of a vulnerable user group.
Assessing Regulatory Compliance and Community Air Pollution Impacts of Crude Oil by Rail Transport in Baltimore City, Maryland (JHU-01-07)
Lead: Johns Hopkins University
Increases in hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, in the Bakken Shale region of the United States have resulted in the transport of enormous volumes of crude oil by rail (CBR) across the country to refineries and ports along both the East and West Coasts. Baltimore City has been a hub for CBR transport throughout the fracking boom, due to its central location along the Eastern Shoreline and service as a transfer station along the Chesapeake Bay. This study will characterize CBR shipments in Baltimore City, and their impacts on local communities. Issues of regulatory compliance, impacts on measured volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in residential areas, and best practices in protecting community health will be addressed.
Health Risk Characterization for Transportation Users (JHU-06)
Lead: Johns Hopkins University
Partners: University of Texas at El Paso
The fields of occupational and environmental health are moving toward application of the concepts of cumulative risk assessment to enhance the health and safety of workers and communities. Yet, methods are rudimentary and few examples exist in this area, especially in terms of risk profiles for transportation system users and workers. The research team will apply its existing expertise in the area of risk assessments to a pilot project to develop a cumulative exposure and risk profile for transportation workers and transportation system users considering chemical and non-chemical stressors from the transportation setting as well as home, community, and social environments.
Energy and Emission Benefits Evaluation of Battery Electric/Plug-in Hybrid Electric Connected Drayage Trucks (UCR-05)
Lead: University of California, Riverside
Partners: Georgia Institute of Technology
Advances in connected vehicle (CV) technologies have the potential for reducing GHG emissions, fuel consumption, and emissions of other pollutants. The UCR research team has developed a variety of CV applications. One such application is Eco-Approach and Departure (EAD), which uses signal phase and timing information from the traffic signal to determine an optimal speed profile for approaching and departing the intersection in the most eco-friendly manner. With the projected increasing market shares of plug-in hybrid electric trucks in the freight sector in the next several years, this project will evaluate the energy and emission benefits of employing plug-in hybrid electric trucks in place of conventional diesel trucks.
Healthy Living and Traffic-Related Air Pollution in an Underserved Community (UTEP-04)
Lead: University of Texas at El Paso
Partners: Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Riverside, and Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Numerous epidemiological studies have shown evidence of adverse health effects resulting from acute or chronic exposure to traffic-related pollution. At the same time, active living, which includes walking and bicycling, is being promoted to improve public health. Active living practices aimed at improving health outcomes in underserved populations may, therefore, have a detrimental impact on health from an emissions exposure perspective. The objectives of this project are to quantify air pollution exposures for residents of underserved communities near busy roadways and to develop guidelines on healthy living for the undeserved roadside communities that are subjected to severe air pollution.
Border Crossing Emissions Impacts Study (TTI-03)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Partners: University of Texas at El Paso and Johns Hopkins University
Poor air quality and associated health impacts are a major health concern to citizens living in the U.S.-Mexico border region. This is especially true in areas near major ports of entry (POE), where large volumes of cross-border freight and passenger movement occur. This project will characterize the air pollution in El Paso and assess the impacts of traffic-related pollution on a POE bridge in the region.
Truck Emissions-Exposure Study in Ports (GT-02)
Lead: Georgia Institute of Technology
Partners: University of California, Riverside, and Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Ports serve as a hub for freight movement into and out of the United States and often face air quality issues due to the emissions from marine engines, freight trucks, drayage trucks, and cargo handling equipment. This has occupational health implications for truck drivers and others working and living in these areas. GT will lead the effort at the Port of Savannah; UCR will lead the study at the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles, and TTI will lead the study at the Port of Houston. We will conduct field measurements of in-use in-cab and ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations, and correlate the concentrations with port activities using an expansion of the GT’s Fuel and Emissions Calculator and port simulation models.
Developing a Transportation, Emissions and Health Data Hub (TTI-01)
Lead: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Partners: All other consortium members
This project addresses the need for a systematic, cross-disciplinary approach to understand different sources of data and reconcile different methods of data collection and analysis. A large amount of high-quality data exists in both the transportation and public health domains, which could be related spatially and temporally with each other for innovative research applications. A data hub developed in cooperation with all CARTEEH consortium members will facilitate the sharing of data between researchers from different disciplines and institutions.
