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.
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.
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.
Transportation and Health – Conceptualization and Quantification (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.
