MOVES and the PM2.5 Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan (SIP)

U.S. EPA released its new vehicle emissions model, called MOVES (Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator) in March 2010.  This new model is a significant upgrade to EPA’s previous vehicle emission model, MOBILE, which was first released in 1978.  MOVES is based on analysis of millions of emission test results and considerable advances in EPA’s understanding of vehicle emissions.  MPO’s are required to use the latest emissions model for all TIP and Plan transportation conformity determinations and revisions to State Implementation Plans.  EPA recognized the many technical challenges that MPO’s must overcome in order to successfully implement MOVES, and granted a two-year grace period until the use of MOVES is required.  With new emission forecasts needed for a state request to redesignate the region to attainment of the particulate matter standard, OKI utilized the MOVES model for this purpose.  OKI’s new emission forecasts were completed in early August 2010 and this work is being included in the redesignation request. 
Download technical documentation on OKI’s use of MOVES for the PM2.5 Redesignation Request

 

Conformity

Transportation conformity is a mechanism to ensure that federal funding and approval are given to those transportation activities that are consistent with air quality goals as contained in the State Implementation Plans (SIPs).  Once an area reaches attainment, the SIPs are amended to include a 10-year maintenance plan.  OKI is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area responsible for transportation planning and air quality conformity.  The latest regional emissions and air quality conformity analysis was completed in June 2008 with the adoption of OKI’s 2030 Regional Transportation Plan and amended FY 2008-FY 2011 Transportation Improvement Program. 

Pursuant to provisions of the CAAA of 1990, U.S. EPA designated a nine county area in the Cincinnati area as a basic nonattainment area for ozone under the eight-hour ozone standard in April 2004.  The Cincinnati nonattainment area includes Lawrenceburg Township in Dearborn County Indiana, the Kentucky counties of Boone, Campbell and Kenton, and the Ohio counties of Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren.  The OKI Regional Council of Governments, as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), consists of Dearborn, Boone, Campbell, Kenton, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties and is responsible for the air quality conformity determination for the region’s Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program.  Clinton County is outside of the OKI region, but is part of the nonattainment area.  The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is the lead planning agency for Clinton County. 

In December 2004, U.S. EPA designated OKI’s Kentucky and Ohio counties, plus a portion of Dearborn County as nonattainment for fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
Download Air Quality Final Conformity Document

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ), under SAFETEA-LU, provides funding for projects demonstrating measurable reductions in vehicle emissions. Examples of projects eligible for CMAQ funds include new transit service, traffic signal interconnection, park-and-ride lots and new bicycle/pedestrian facilities. OKI’s Transportation Improvement Program includes 54 projects utilizing $12 million in CMAQ. Those projects are expected to result in a significant reduction in ozone precursors and fine particulates.

Download Memorum of Understanding
Download Cincinnati Area 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Counties Map