2004 annual air quality report (Georgia Regional Transportation Authority)

Georgia Regional Transportation Authority 2004 Annual Air Quality Report
This report fulfills the statutory requirement for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) to formulate measurable targets for air quality improvements and standards within the 13-county Atlanta 1-hour ozone nonattainment area and to report annually such targets to the Governor [Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-32-13 (c)].

Introduction
Air quality in the metropolitan Atlanta 13-county nonattainment area has been improving over the last several years. Factors such as favorable weather conditions, a reduction in vehicle miles traveled per person, and the attrition of older, more likely-to-pollute vehicles have contributed to the improvement. This improvement has occurred despite the significant growth in population that has occurred in the region, which in other circumstances might be expected to worsen air quality. At the same time, however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented two new, stricter air quality standards: the 8-hour ozone standard and the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) standard. As a result, the Atlanta nonattainment area is expanding to include all or part of 22 counties that will be subject to additional transportation and air quality planning requirements. GRTA will continue to work with the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (EPD), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), and other partners to meet the challenges presented by the new standards and improve air quality in the Atlanta region.
For this trend towards better quality air to continue, the region must implement and aggressively promote the activities that will support such improvement. Greater use of alternative transportation modes such as carpools, vanpools, and public transit, and increased teleworking are examples of such activities. The region's ongoing efforts to better recognize and act on the linkage between land use and transportation, such as transit-oriented developments along MARTA rail lines, the GRTA Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) policy that encourages design that fosters trip reductions, and brownfield and infill developments like Atlantic Station, should be encouraged. Additionally, we must obtain greater efficiencies from our existing transportation and land use infrastructure.
GRTA and its partners are working diligently towards these goals. The following report outlines the air quality issues confronting the region, the measures and targets, and actions that can lead to continued improvements in air quality throughout the region.
1

Air Quality
The air we breathe is composed mostly of oxygen and nitrogen, with trace concentrations of countless other naturally occurring and human-made chemicals. However, some of the minor constituents, such as carbon monoxide and ozone, can be harmful to human health and the environment even at very low concentrations. The term "air quality" typically refers to the kinds and amounts of pollution in the air and its corresponding health and environmental impacts.
The EPA has designated 23 full or partial counties in the State of Georgia as areas that have or contribute to air quality that violates one or both of the current ozone standards. Twenty of these counties are in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Twenty-nine full or partial counties, including 22 in the metropolitan Atlanta area, have been designated nonattainment for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) standards.
Ground-level Ozone
Ozone is a highly reactive, pungent gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It has the same chemical structure miles above the earth or at ground level, and can be characterized as good or bad, depending on its location in the atmosphere. Good ozone occurs naturally in the stratosphere, approximately 10 to 30 miles above the earth's surface, and forms a layer that protects life on earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. In the earth's lower atmosphere, ground-level ozone is considered bad, and can be harmful to human health and the environment.1
Ozone is not emitted directly into the air. At ground level, ozone is created by reactions in the air between chemicals called nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of heat and sunlight. Ground-level ozone formation is typically greatest during the hot, stagnant weather conditions of summer.
Ozone concentrations vary greatly throughout the course of the day. The morning rush hour is a significant source of NOx and VOC emissions and generally marks the daily onset of ozone formation. As the sun begins to shine, reactions between the ozone precursors begin and continue throughout the day, resulting in the formation of ozone. The afternoon rush hour emits more NOx and VOC, which further contribute to the formation of ozone. Peak concentrations of ozone are typically measured in the afternoon, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Ozone concentrations drop off significantly in the nighttime due to the lack of sunlight, which shuts down the basic photochemical cycle.2
1-Hour Ozone Standard
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are health-based standards set by EPA for six air pollutants that must be met in all areas of the United States. EPA is currently enforcing two standards for ground-level ozone: the 1-hour and 8-hour ozone standards. For an area to meet, or attain, the 1-hour standard, the average number of days per year with one or more hourly observations above 124 ppb at each ozone monitor within the area must be less than or equal to one over a consecutive three-year period.3 EPA will no longer enforce the 1-hour standard after June 2005.
The appendix contains two tables of the monitoring data for the Atlanta 1-hour ozone nonattainment area for the 2004 air quality season (May 1 - September, 30, 2004). These tables
1 http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/gooduphigh/index.html. 2 USEPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Guideline on Ozone Monitoring Site Selection, EPA-454/R98-002, August 1998. 3 40 C.F.R. 50.9.
2

show, by site location, the total number of observations, the number of observations exceeding the ozone standard, and the percentage of readings below this standard, for the 1-hour and 8-hour ozone standard, respectively. It should be noted that the data provided in these tables are based on monitoring data for 2004 only, and they are only part of the data necessary for determining attainment of the ozone standards and their health implications.

8-Hour Ozone Standard
For an area to attain the 8-hour ozone standard, the three-year average of the annual fourthhighest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentration for all monitors in the area must be less than or equal to 84 ppb.4 The 8-hour ozone standard will be more difficult to attain than the 1-hour standard, but it will also provide a greater level of protection to the public against a wide range of ozone-related health effects. The observed 8-hour ozone concentrations fall within one of five discrete levels defined by EPA's ozone "Air Quality Index" (AQI).
Table 1. Ozone Air Quality Index

Color Green Yellow

EPA's Levels of Health Concern
Good Moderate

Index Values 0 50 51 100

Orange Red

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Unhealthy

101 150 151 200

Purple Very Unhealthy Greater than 201

Daily Maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations (ppb) 0 64 65 84 85 104
105 124
125 374

EPA's Cautionary Statements
None
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged exertion outdoors.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Fine Particulate Matter5
Particulate matter is the general term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small they can only be detected with an electron microscope. These particles originate from many different human-made and natural sources. Their chemical and physical compositions vary depending on location, time of year, and weather. "Fine" particulate matter (PM2.5) is less than 2.5 microns in diameter. For comparison, the width of a human hair is approximately 100 microns.
EPA has adopted two PM2.5 standards, known as the 24-hour and annual standards, which are designed to protect against effects from short and long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, respectively. The 24-hour standard is met in an area when, as averaged over a consecutive threeyear period, at least 98 percent of the 24-hour average PM2.5 concentrations per year at each

4 40 C.F.R. 50.10. 5 EPA, "Fact Sheet -- EPA's Revised Particulate Matter Standards," Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards,
July 17, 1997b. (Website: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/naaqsfin/pmfact.html)

3

monitor are less than or equal to 65 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The annual standard is met in an area when, as averaged over a consecutive three-year period, the annual average6 PM2.5 concentration is less than or equal to 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air.7
8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas
Table 2 summarizes the Georgia counties designated by EPA on April 15, 2004, as nonattainment under the 8-hour ozone standard. Table 3 is a summary of counties designated by EPA on December 17, 2004, as PM2.5 nonattainment areas in Georgia. The nonattainment areas, along with the existing 1-hour ozone nonattainment area, are depicted in the figure on page 5.

Table 2. Georgia Counties Designated by EPA as Nonattainment Under the 8-Hour Ozone Standard

1. Barrow 2. Bartow 3. Bibb 4. Carroll 5. Cherokee* 6. Clayton* 7. Cobb* 8. Coweta* 9. DeKalb* 10. Douglas* 11. Fayette* 12. Forsyth*

13. Fulton* 14. Gwinnett* 15. Hall 16. Henry* 17. Monroe8 18. Murray10 19. Newton 20. Paulding* 21. Rockdale* 22. Spalding 23. Walton

Table 3. Georgia Counties Designated by EPA as Nonattainment Under the PM2.5 Standard

1. Barrow 2. Bartow 3. Bibb 4. Carroll 5. Catoosa 6. Cherokee 7. Clarke 8. Clayton 9. Cobb 10. Coweta

11. DeKalb 21. Monroe8

12. Douglas 22. Muscogee

13. Fayette 23. Newton

14. Floyd 24. Paulding 15. Forsyth 25. Putnam9

16. Fulton 26. Rockdale

17. Gwinnett 27. Spalding

18. Hall

28. Walker

19. Heard11 29. Walton

20. Henry

*Counties currently designated nonattainment under the 1-hour ozone standard.

Note: Catoosa County signed a letter of support for Chattanooga, Tennessee's "Early Action Compact" with EPA to achieve clean air sooner than might otherwise be required under the 8-hour ozone standard regulations. In exchange, as long as the Chattanooga area continues to fulfill the compact's requirements and meet prescribed milestones, EPA will defer the effective date of its nonattainment designation, including Catoosa County.

6 The steps in computing the PM2.5 annual average are as follows. First, the 24-hour averages at a given monitoring site are averaged together by quarters (i.e., three month averages). Second, the four quarterly averages are then averaged together to calculate the annual average at each monitoring site. Third, the annual averages are then averaged across designated monitoring sites to obtain an annual spatial average for an area. Finally, the annual spatial averages are averaged over a three-year consecutive period to calculate the annual average. 7 40 C.F.R. 50.7. 8 Partial nonattainment county. It includes (for both 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 standard) a portion of southeast Monroe County, encompassing Plant Scherer. 9 Partial PM2.5 nonattainment county, encompassing Plant Branch. 10 The portion of Murray County designated as 8-hour ozone nonattainment includes only mountain peaks within the Chattahoochee National Forest in Murray County at or above 2400 feet above sea level. 11 Partial PM2.5 nonattainment county. It includes a portion of northeast Heard County, encompassing Plant Wansley.
4

Figure 1. Georgia Nonattainment Areas12
12 Counties colored solid white and those not shown on the map are in attainment of all applicable air quality standards.
5

Measures and Targets
In general, a measure is an observable or computable quantity, such as the concentration of ozone in the air or vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per day, that provides useful information regarding the state of the air quality or important factors that affect air quality.
A target is both (1) a specified level for a measure and (2) a timeframe for achieving that level that should lead to air quality improvements. Not every measure in this report has an associated target. At this time, the Authority has chosen not to develop targets for some of the measures. This is because currently there is not sufficient data available to ensure that such targets would be reliable, self-consistent, and, if attained, actually support attainment of the air quality targets. GRTA is continuing to work with its air quality and transportation planning partners to develop targets for these measures.
The relationship between the four categories of measures and targets is depicted in the figure below. A summary of the GRTA air quality measures, updates and targets is provided in the table on page 14.
Figure 2. Relationship between the Four Categories of Measures and Targets
Measures
1. Air Quality. These measures are based on EPD's ozone and PM2.5 monitoring data and on the NAAQS. The air quality measures will provide the ultimate assessment of the progress made toward meeting the NAAQS in Atlanta. The four air quality measures are (1) Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Standard Attainment Status, (2) Atlanta 8-Hour Ozone Standard Attainment Status, (3) Atlanta Ozone Days, and (4) Atlanta Fine Particulate Matter Attainment Status. GRTA has developed targets for the first two measures, but not the third or fourth.
6

Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Standard Attainment Status
This measure tracks the most recent 11 years of observed "1-hour ozone design values"13 for the Atlanta nonattainment area. In order for the area to attain the 1-hour ozone standard, its 1hour ozone design value must be less than or equal to 124 ppb. The 2004 value of 123 ppb is below the 1-hour ozone standard (and GRTA target). As a result, EPD has developed a plan for maintaining the 1-hour ozone standard in the Atlanta area through the year 2015 and has requested that EPA redesignate the area to attainment/maintenance of the 1-hour ozone standard. In any event, EPA plans to revoke the 1-hour ozone standard in June 2005.
Figure 3. Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Standard Attainment Status

165

1-Hour Ozone Design Value (ppb)

160

156 157 156

155

149 150
145 146

145

143

140

140

144
2004 Target

135

130

125

125

124

120

123

115 1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

Year

Observed Design Value

2002 Target

2004

2006

13 The 1-hour ozone design value for a region is the highest 1-hour ozone design value from among all the monitors in that area. The 1-hour ozone design value for each monitor is the fourth-highest daily maximum 1-hour ozone reading over the most recent three years' ozone seasons. To determine the 1-hour ozone design value for the year 2004, for example, one first collects the fourth-highest 1-hour ozone reading for each monitor in the nonattainment area for the three-year period 2002, 2003 and 2004, and the 1-hour ozone design value is the highest of these values.
7

Atlanta 8-Hour Ozone Standard Attainment Status

The Atlanta 8-Hour Ozone Standard Attainment Status measure tracks the most recent 11 years of observed "8-hour ozone design values"14 for the Atlanta nonattainment area. In order for an area to attain the 8-hour ozone standard, its 8-hour ozone design value must be less than or equal to 84 ppb. In previous reports, GRTA set a target of 84 ppb or less by 2010. However, based on its classification by EPA as a "marginal" 8-hour ozone nonattainment area, the Atlanta area has until 2007 to attain the 8-hour ozone standard. Therefore, GRTA has adopted a revised target of 84 ppb or less by 2007. Although Atlanta's 8-hour ozone design value increased slightly between 2003 and 2004, it was still well below the values in 2002 and preceding years.

Figure 4. Atlanta 8-Hour Ozone Standard Attainment Status 125 121

120

118

8-Hour Ozone Design Value (ppb)

115

113

109

110

110

105

105 101

100

95

90

107
99 93
91

2007 Target

85
80 1992

1994

1996

84

1998 2000 2002 Year
Observed Design Value

2004 2006 Target

2008

2010

14 The 8-hour ozone design value for a given year is the highest three-year average of the annual fourth-highest 8-hour ozone reading among all monitors in the area. To determine the 8-hour ozone design value for the year 2004, for example, one first collects, for each monitor in the nonattainment area, the average of the fourth-highest 8-hour ozone reading for 2002, 2003 and 2004, and the 8-hour ozone design value is the highest of these averages.
8

Atlanta Ozone Days Measure
The Atlanta Ozone Days measure is defined as the number of days per ozone season with observed ozone Air Quality Index in the green (good), yellow (moderate), orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups), red (unhealthy), and purple (very unhealthy) ranges in the Atlanta area. The Atlanta Ozone Days measure is depicted in Figure 5 for the past 11 ozone seasons, showing that it has made steady improvement since 1998. GRTA has not set a target for this measure.
Figure 5. Atlanta Ozone Days Measure
100

90

Number of Days in May-September with Ozone AQI in Specified Range

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 1994
Good

1995

1996

Moderate

1997

1998

1999 Year

2000

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

2001

2002

2003

2004

Unhealthy

Very Unhealthy

9

Atlanta Fine Particulate Matter Attainment Status The Atlanta Fine Particulate Matter Attainment Status measure is designed to track
compliance with the annual PM2.5 standard within the Atlanta 1-hour ozone nonattainment area. Therefore, evaluation of this measure is based on the way that attainment of the annual PM2.5 standard is assessed. The baseline of this measure is 18.8 micrograms per cubic meter over the 1999-2001 period. The measure declines to 15.5 micrograms per cubic meter over the 2001-2003 period, which is positive but still above the standard. Due to uncertainty regarding how EPA will implement the PM2.5 standard, GRTA is not setting a target for this measure at this time.
Figure 6. Atlanta Fine Particulate Matter Attainment Status
20.0

Fine Particulate Matter (mg/m3)

19.0 18.8
18.0

17.0

17.1

16.0

15.0 1999-2001

2000-2002 Year

15.5 2001-2003

2. Emissions. The four emissions measures are:
Total Daily Motor Vehicle NOx Emissions, Average Daily Motor Vehicle NOx Emissions Per Person, Total Daily Motor Vehicle VOC Emissions, and Average Daily Motor Vehicle VOC Emissions Per Person.
The baseline year for these measures is 2000. The 2000-2003 trends are presented in the following two figures. The values for 2001 and 2002 are slightly different from those in the 2003 Annual Air Quality Report due to minor changes in the assumptions used to estimate these measures. However, the conclusions remain the same: Motor vehicle NOx and VOC emissions in the 13-county Atlanta nonattainment area dropped appreciably between 2000 and 2003, both in terms of total emissions and on a per-person basis, even as total population and VMT increased. GRTA has not developed targets for these measures.

10

Figure 7. Total Daily Motor Vehicle Emissions (2000-2003)

Relative to Year 2000 Emissions

110% 100%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
0%

100%100% 2000

96% 97%

96% 91%

2001

Year

2002

Total NOx Total VOC

Figure 8. Average Daily Motor Vehicle Emissions Per Person (2000-2003)

110%

Relative to Year 2000 Emissions

100% 90% 80%

100%100%

93% 94%

90% 86%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% 2000

2001

Year

2002

NOx/Person VOC/Person

82% 85% 2003
76% 79% 2003

11

Contributions to total NOx and VOC emissions in the Atlanta 13-county nonattainment area, by source, are summarized in the following two charts.

Figure 9. Projected NOx Emissions from All Sources in the 13-county Atlanta Area for the Year 2004 Source: Georgia Post-1999 Rate-of-Progress State Implementation Plan, 2003

Biogenic 1%

Area 10%

Point 15%

Mobile 53%

Nonroad 21%

Figure 10. Projected VOC Emissions from All Sources in the 13-county Atlanta Area for the Year 2004 Source: Georgia State Implementation Plan, 2001

Area 7%

Point 3%
Nonroad 6%

Mobile 8%

Biogenic 76%
Some examples of emissions sources are: Area sources: print shops, dry cleaners, restaurants, painting facilities, outdoor burning. Point: power plants, chemical facilities. Nonroad: railroad locomotives, construction equipment, lawn mowers, chain saws, leaf blowers. Mobile: automobiles, trucks, motorcycles. Biogenic: trees, crops, grass, and other vegetation.
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3. Sources. The Super Polluters measure focuses on a key source of ozone precursor emissions in the Atlanta area. This measure tracks the fraction of passenger vehicles on the road in Atlanta that emits disproportionately high amounts of harmful emissions. The measure could be helpful in the design of programs to clean up or accelerate the removal of dirty vehicles. GRTA has not developed a target for this measure.

Figure 11. Percentage of Vehicles That Are Super-Polluters, Observed on the Road and Registered in the Atlanta 1 Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area (1993-2002)

6

5.3

5

4.9

4.8

Percentage of Super-Polluter Vehicles

4

3.7

3.4

3.0 3
2.4

2

2.0

1.9

2.0

1

0 1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

Year

1999

2000

2001

2002

4. Activities. These measures focus on the usage of motorized vehicles and transit. The measures should be useful for designing and evaluating plans, programs, and projects that affect activity levels, thereby reducing emissions and improving air quality. The three activities measures are (1) Total Daily VMT, (2) Daily VMT per Person, and (3) Regional Transit Ridership. GRTA has set targets for the Daily VMT per Person measure and the Regional Transit Ridership measure.

Figure 12. Total Daily VMT for the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area (1986-2003)

Daily VMT (in millions)

140

130

124.3 125.4 126.2

119.2 119.0 121.6

120

113.7

110

108.4

102.9

100

98.4

93.0

90

87.6 79.1 83.9 81.4

80

72.0 73.7

70 67.6

60

50
40 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Year

13

Figure 13. Daily VMT per Person for the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area (1986-2003)

Daily VMT Per Person

36

35

34.7

34.1

2000 Baseline 2006 Target

34

33.6

33.3

32.9 32.9

32.9

33

32.3

32.5 32.0

32

31.1

31.3

31.6

31

30.0

30.0

30

29.7

29

29.1 28.8 28.4

28

27

26

25 1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996 Year

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

Figure 14. Regional Transit Ridership in the Atlanta 1-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area (1992-2003)

Passengers (in millions)

180

FY 2000 Baseline FY 2006 Target

175

173

170

170

170

166

167 166

165 161
160

155

150

150

148

145 146

145 144

141 140

135 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

In summary, GRTA has developed twelve air-quality-related measures and one or more targets for four measures. The measures and targets focus exclusively on transportation-related emissions, ground-level ozone, and fine particulate matter. However, GRTA may develop measures and targets for other emissions sources and other pollutants in the future.

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Table 4. Summary of 2004 GRTA Air Quality Measures and Targets

Name

Description

Atlanta 1-Hour 1-hour ozone design value (in ppb) Ozone Standard Attainment Status

Baseline Value Year(s) 157 2000

Update Value Year(s) 123 2004

Target Value Year(s) 124 2004

Air Quality Measures

Atlanta 8-Hour 8-hour ozone design value (in ppb) Ozone Standard Attainment Status

121 2000 93 2004 84 2007

Atlanta Ozone Days

Number of days during ozone season 60

for which measured maximum 8-hour 48 ozone concentrations fall into each of the five air quality index (AQI)-ozone 32

sub-index levels (i.e., green, yellow,

11

orange, red, and purple)

2

2000 2000 2000 2000 2000

98 2004 N/A N/A 44 2004 N/A N/A 10 2004 N/A N/A 1 2004 N/A N/A 0 2004 N/A N/A

Atlanta Fine

Running three-year average of the

18.8 1999- 15.5 2001- N/A N/A

Particulate Matter PM2.5 observations averaged over all Attainment Status of the monitors in the Atlanta 1-hour

2001

2003

ozone nonattainment area.

Emissions Measures

Total Daily Motor Total NOx emitted from on-road

100% 2000 82% 2003

Vehicle Nitrogen motor vehicles in the Atlanta 1-hour

Oxides (NOx)

ozone nonattainment area during a

Emissions

typical summer day relative to the

year 2000

N/A N/A

Average Daily Average NOx emitted per person from 100% 2000 76% 2003

Motor Vehicle on-road motor vehicles during a

NOx Emissions typical summer day relative to the

Per Person

year 2000

N/A N/A

Total Daily Motor Total VOC emitted from on-road

100% 2000 85% 2003

Vehicle Volatile motor vehicles in the Atlanta 1-hour

Organic

ozone nonattainment area during a

Compounds

typical summer day relative to the

(VOC) Emissions year 2000

N/A N/A

Average Daily Average VOC emitted per person

100% 2000 79% 2003

Motor Vehicle from on-road motor vehicles during a

VOC Emissions typical summer day relative to the

Per Person

year 2000

N/A N/A

Super-Polluters Percentage of vehicles that are

3.0 1998 2.0 2002 N/A N/A

super-polluters, observed on the road

and registered in the Atlanta 1-hour

ozone nonattainment area

Total Daily

Total summer-adjusted VMT per day 121.6 2000 126.2 2003 N/A N/A

Vehicle Miles

in the Atlanta 1-hour ozone

Traveled (VMT) nonattainment area (in millions)

Daily VMT Per Person

VMT per person per day in the Atlanta 1-hour ozone nonattainment area

32.9 2000 31.6 2003 30.0 2006

Regional Transit Cumulative sum of the number of

170 2000 150 2003 170 2006

Ridership

passengers who board public

transportation vehicles annually in the

Atlanta 1-hour ozone nonattainment

area (in millions)

Source Measure

Activity Measures

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Initiatives
Following is a brief list of the leading air quality related initiatives underway in the Atlanta area and those that are being considered by GRTA, EPD, Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), and others, for future implementation.
Existing Fuel and Vehicle Initiatives
Georgia Fuels Rule A rule reducing NOx and VOC emissions from gasoline-powered motor vehicles by lowering the sulfur content and Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)15 of conventional gasoline.
Atlanta's Inspection and Maintenance Program Annual emissions control systems inspections of most gasoline-powered passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks registered in the Atlanta 1-hour nonattainment area.
Clean Fuel Fleet Program Requires purchase of low, ultra-low or zero emissions clean-fuel vehicles (CFV) by owners/operators of fleets with ten or more "covered" vehicles in the nonattainment area for a fraction of their new vehicles.
Low Emission Vehicle Certification Program Provides tax credits for the purchase of dedicated alternative fuel low emission vehicles (LEV), for electric vehicle chargers purchased by businesses, for the purchase of zero emission vehicles, and for the conversion of conventional fueled vehicles to low emission alternative fueled vehicles.
Diesel Engine Idle Emissions Reduction Technology A 10 percent tax credit based on the cost of purchasing and installing certain diesel emissions reduction technology equipment.
Potential and/or Future Fuel and Vehicle Initiatives
School Bus Retrofit Program EPD has initiated a school bus retrofit program, also referred to as the Adopt-a-School Bus Program (AASB). It focuses on retrofitting school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters and using cleaner fuels such as ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD). EPD has already worked with one school system, Clayton County, to retrofit 60 of their school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts. EPD has recently received a grant from EPA's Clean School Bus USA program. This grant will allow EPD to select four school systems in the metro-Atlanta area to pilot the AASB.
Heavy Duty "Not to Exceed" Standards In 2001 Georgia adopted the California Air Resources Board heavy-duty engines standards as a national solution to backsliding in the control of NOx emissions from on-highway, heavy-duty engines (HDE) anticipated in 2005. The State will also be able to use this standard as a backstop in the event that the U.S. EPA weakens the Federal 2007 heavy-duty engine standards.
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel The ULSD fuel program, when fully implemented and combined with heavy-duty diesel engine controls phased in through 2010, is expected to reduce PM and NOx emissions by 90 percent and 95 percent, respectively. EPD and other stakeholders have been working to achieve early introduction of ULSD in the Atlanta region, at least for niche markets.
15 RVP is a measure of how quickly a fuel will evaporate. The higher the Reid Vapor Pressure, the faster the fuel evaporates.
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Clean Construction Diesel Retrofit Program EPD is considering implementing, by 2006, a heavy-duty diesel retrofit program for nonroad construction diesel vehicles in the nonattainment area. The result of the program would be a reduction in ozone, NOx, VOC, CO, PM, and air toxics.
Atlanta's Inspection and Maintenance Program The current Atlanta I/M program may be implemented in the seven additional counties within the expanded 20-county 8-hour ozone Atlanta nonattainment area.
Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Programs Programs that help purchase older high emitting vehicles for a fixed amount of money to permanently "retire" them by crushing them or disabling them and selling the remaining parts with the goal of removing high-emitting vehicles from the fleet and spurring turnover to a newer fleet. Investigation of a funding source is ongoing.
Program to Promote Tax Credits for Purchase of Low Emitters in Georgia Proposal to extend the LEV tax credit to "low emitters" such as hybrid electric vehicles.
Existing Land Use Initiatives
ARC/GRTA Joint Land Use Strategy The purpose of the Joint Land Use Strategy is to ensure the land use policies represented in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the Regional Development Plan (RDP) will effectively and successfully guide future development in Atlanta.
Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) GRTA's legislation requires that it review DRI's within its jurisdiction with the purpose of approving or disapproving the use of state and federal funds to create transportation services and access that may be required as a result of the DRI. The goals of the review are protecting and efficiently allocating limited state and federal resources, promoting compliance with regional transportation plans and air quality standards, and furthering GRTA's mission and goals.
NASA Urban Air Quality Modeling Research Project GRTA, in partnership with EPD, EPA, ARC, and GDOT, is supporting a research effort by NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to develop an urban air quality modeling system to quantify the impact of land cover and land use changes on the urban heat island effect in Atlanta and on Atlanta's air quality.
Strategies for Metropolitan Atlanta's Regional Transportation and Air Quality (SMARTRAQ) An ongoing research project, lead by Georgia Institute of Technology in cooperation with GRTA, ARC, Federal Highway Administration, GDOT, the Centers for Disease Control, the Turner Foundation, the EPA, the Urban Land Institute and the Atlanta Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, that will develop a framework to assess the land use and transportation policies having the greatest potential to reduce automobile dependence and vehicle emissions while also sustaining economic vitality and environmental health in the 13-county nonattainment area.
Atlantic Steel Redevelopment The redevelopment of this former steel mill site was approved by the EPA as a Transportation Control Measure (TCM) in the Georgia State Implementation Plan. It is the first TCM in the country to explicitly recognize the air pollution benefits of a well-designed, mixed-use, transit-oriented development. Part of the redevelopment plan included the construction of the 17th Street Bridge connecting the development to the Arts Center MARTA rail station. The bridge design includes wide pedestrian walkways and dedicated bus lanes to encourage alternative modes of transportation in the area. Within the development, two residential areas and one office
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building have been constructed. Retail stores are under construction within the mixed-use development, and condo/townhome sales and occupancy has begun.
Northern Sub-Area Study/GA 400 Corridor Analysis (NSAS) The NSAS study, completed in 2003, evaluated transportation, land use and air quality issues in northern metropolitan Atlanta. The study produced valuable information regarding the potential impacts of three land-use alternatives for the region, including a full range of costs and benefits for short-term and long-term operational and infrastructure investments, including land use options, air quality recommendations and transportation strategies. Additionally, the GA 400 Corridor Analysis provided extensive recommendations for reducing traffic congestion in that corridor, including the expansion of transit service and the addition of HOV and general purpose traffic lanes to GA 400. Among the ten tools the study produced is a Cost Estimating Tool designed for all types of transportation investments.
Livable Center Initiative The ARC's Livable Center Initiative promotes quality growth in the region by encouraging greater mobility and livability within existing employment and town centers through enhancements of the already existing infrastructure instead of building anew.
Future Land Use Initiatives
SMARTRAQ Land Use Information System For selected areas and transit investment locations in the region, GRTA will modify the SMARTRAQ database to include attributes that should be considered within the context of land development.
Transportation Initiatives
Xpress Regional Express Commuter Coach System GRTA has begun implementing Xpress, a regional express commuter coach system serving the Atlanta nonattainment area. Of the 13 nonattainment counties in the Atlanta area, 11 have reached an agreement with GRTA to participate in the Xpress system and have committed $21 million for capital and operating assistance in exchange for arterial roadway improvements. Forty-eight coaches were purchased and delivered to the system in late 2003. Ten additional coaches, for use by Gwinnett County Transit, have been ordered and are to be delivered in 2005. At the end of 2004, seven routes had been implemented and over 90,000 passenger trips had been made by Xpress riders.
Regional Vanpool Program In 2003, GRTA assumed the responsibility for the State Employees Commuter Assistance Program and the continued operation of the state vans. GRTA also launched a regional vanpool program.
Regional HOV Network The existing Atlanta area HOV network consists of 90 lane-miles. GDOT has performed a study and developed a strategic plan for expanding the HOV system in the Atlanta region. This plan will be considered in the development of Mobility 2030, the region's next RTP, and the 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Regional Commuter Rail System GRTA, GDOT and the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority form the Georgia Rail Passenger Program which has identified seven commuter rail corridors. The Federal Environmental Assessment process was completed in two corridors; the Macon-Atlanta and the Athens-Atlanta. GDOT has had discussions regarding the Lovejoy-Atlanta segment of the Macon corridor with the owning railroad, Norfolk Southern Corporation.
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Northwest Corridor I-75/I-575 HOV/BRT Alternatives Analysis This is a combination of GDOT's I-75 HOV Project with GRTA's Northwest Connectivity Study to create alternative transportation within the Town Center, Cumberland-Galleria and Midtown Atlanta transportation corridor. The GRTA Board selected Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the Locally Preferred Alternative, and the next two years will focus on identifying, evaluating and mitigating environmental impacts to complete a federal Environmental Impact Statement. After 2011, as the project phases are completed, peak-period transit users and carpoolers will be able to significantly reduce travel time along the I-75 northwest corridor as compared with driving alone.
Activity Center Circulator Systems GRTA is working with the Buckhead Area Transportation Management Association (BATMA), the Hartsfield Area Transportation Management Association, and the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts to study and implement public shuttle circulator systems for these areas. GRTA assisted BATMA with securing vehicles and a service provider for shuttles to service the offices, hotels and MARTA stations around Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza. The BATMA BUC shuttles began operating on November 24, 2003.
Breeze Card Regional Task Force MARTA has begun a replacement of its ageing transit fare collection system using smartcard based technology. The new system, branded BreezeTM is expected to be operational by July of 2006. A Breeze Card Regional Task Force has been established by MARTA to work with GRTA, GCT, CTRAN, CCT, SRTA, Hartsfield/Jackson Airport, and others to extend MARTA's smartcard systems for use by the entire region. Smart Card Technologies are key to the implementation of a seamless transit infrastructure for the region. A regional implementation of a common smartcard will enable customers to transfer from one transit system using a single fare card. The new system will provide a foundation for the implementation of innovative fare structures across multiple jurisdictions, and help agencies meet federal reporting requirements.
State of Georgia Work Away Program Work Away is a management option provided to the State of Georgia employees that allows selected employees to telework for one or more days per week, or other time period.
Other Existing and Potential Transportation Initiatives
Atlanta Regional Commission's Bicycle Suitability Maps ARC has produced bicycle suitability maps for every county in the Atlanta region as well as the City of Atlanta to assist the cycling community in determining the safest and most logical paths. The maps identify existing on-road bicycle facilities, off-road paths, transit stations, bus routes, and various points of interest.
The Clean Air Campaign The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality through a variety of voluntary programs and services. Funding for the Clean Air Campaign is provided by U. S Department of Transportation Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds, with a 20 percent match from business and government sponsors.
C-TRAN Local bus service for Clayton County operated as a partnership between GRTA and Clayton County. Phase II service was implemented in 2003, extending operating hours, adding Sunday service, and adding a third route. During 2004 C-TRAN reached the 1 million annual passenger trips milestone. Additionally, Phase III route improvements and additions were planned for implementation early in 2005.
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Regional Transit Action Plan (RTAP) The RTAP is a two-year study that has recommended the foundations for a seamless, integrated public transportation network in the Atlanta region. Part of this study developed the blueprint for the Xpress regional express commuter system. The Concept Plan for the RTAP has been completed and has been incorporated into the planning of ARC's Mobility 2030 and 2005-2010 TIP. Regional Traffic Operations Initiative In 2003, Governor Perdue announced an initiative to improve metro Atlanta's traffic signal operations. GRTA, GDOT and ARC partnered to create a Task Force spearheading regional efforts on short range traffic operations projects to improve traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion. As a result, regional corridor prioritization list for signal retiming is prepared, five signal system retiming projects are completed, and GDOT has selected consultants for program management and signal timing.
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Appendix

Table 5. Percentage of Healthy* Readings for the 2004 Air Quality Season by Monitoring Site (1-Hour Ozone Standard)

Site Locations Confederate

Total Number of 1-Hour Readings
3634

Total Number of Percent of Healthy*

Unhealthy* Readings

Readings

1

99.97%

Conyers

3610

0

100.00%

Douglasville

3621

0

100.00%

Fayetteville

3637

0

100.00%

Gwinnett

3600

0

100.00%

Kennesaw

3640

0

100.00%

McDonough

3351

0

100.00%

Newnan

3070

0

100.00%

SW DeKalb Tucker Yorkville

3600 3633 3590

3

99.92%

2

99.94%

0

100.00%

Totals

38986

6

99.98%

Data Source: W. Nordmark, 2004 Air Quality Index Report, The Nordmark Consulting Group, Atlanta, 2005.
Note: The data for the above table are based on monitoring data for 2004 only, and they are therefore only part of the data necessary for determining attainment of the 1-hour ozone standard and its health implications to different population groups. For an area to meet the 1-hour ozone standard, the average number of days with observations above 124 ppb at each ozone monitor within that area must be less than or equal to one over a consecutive three-year period.
* Ozone readings at or below 124 ppb were categorized as "healthy," and readings above 124 ppb were categorized as "unhealthy," based on the 1-hour ozone standard. It should be noted, however, that some of the readings categorized as healthy might not be considered as such under the revised, more stringent 8-hour ozone standard. EPA plans to revoke the less-protective 1-hour ozone standard in June 2005. In addition, this analysis was done for ozone only. Air quality could have been unhealthy due to the presence of other pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, while still meeting the 1-hour ozone standard.

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Table 6. Percentage of Healthy* Readings for the 2004 Air Quality Season by Monitoring Site (8-Hour Ozone Standard)

Site Locations Confederate

Total Number of 8-Hour Readings
3445

Total Number of Percent of Healthy*

Unhealthy* Readings

Readings

26

99.25%

Conyers

3419

17

99.50%

Douglasville

3446

3

99.91%

Fayetteville

3435

10

99.71%

Gwinnett

3411

18

99.47%

Kennesaw

3445

0

100.00%

McDonough

3127

12

99.62%

Newnan

2916

11

99.62%

SW DeKalb Tucker Yorkville

3397 3416 3380

10

99.71%

17

99.50%

0

100.00%

Totals

36837

124

99.66%

Data Source: W. Nordmark, 2004 Air Quality Index Report, The Nordmark Consulting Group, Atlanta, 2005.
Note: The data for the above table are based on monitoring data for 2004 only, and they are therefore only part of the data necessary for determining attainment of the 8-hour ozone standard and its health implications to different population groups. For an area to attain the 8-hour standard, the three-year average of the annual fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentration in the area must be less than or equal to 84 ppb.
* Ozone readings at or below 84 ppb were categorized as "healthy," and readings above 84 ppb were categorized as "unhealthy," based on the 8-hour ozone standard. Please note that each reading is an average over eight hours of monitoring, so that one "unhealthy" 8-hour ozone reading actually represents eight-hour long episode of potentially unhealthy air. Additionally, air quality could have been unhealthy due to the presence of other pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, while still meeting the 8-hour ozone standard.

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