Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
Research Project Statement 17-91
FY 2017 Annual Program
Title:
Evaluation of Air Quality Models with Near-Road Monitoring Data
The Problem:
On July 14, 2015, the U.S. EPA proposed to update its Guideline on Air Quality Models. The
Guideline, which was last updated in 2005, is used by the EPA, states, tribes, and industry to
prepare and review permits for new sources of air pollution and State or Tribal Implementation
Plan revisions. Specific to transportation mobile sources, the proposed rule-making focuses on
replacing CALINE3 with AERMOD as the preferred model for determining near-field impacts for
primary emissions from mobile sources. This proposal will have a significant impact on CO,
PM2.5, and PM10 transportation conformity and NEPA analyses.
The proposed revisions related to CALINE3 model replacement are based on limited model
evaluation studies conducted for a simple highway configuration. A typical array of transportation
projects consists of highway interchanges and intersections, transit, and intermodal, in addition to
highway segments for which air dispersion modeling is performed for conformity and NEPA
purposes. TxDOT and its partner agencies have decades of experience using CALINE3 for
transportation related air quality modeling applications. AERMOD is a much more complicated
model and has a steeper learning curve compared to CALINE3. In the event the proposed
revision comes into effect, there will be implications for TxDOT and its partner agencies who are
not equipped with technical resources or capabilities to perform air quality analyses with
AERMOD.
Research is needed for a comprehensive model evaluation assessment that includes detailed
validation with real-world data across different types of transportation project configurations. A
rich source of data for model evaluation is available in Texas in the form of near-road ambient
monitoring data. As a result of a U.S. EPA near-road monitoring mandate, near-road air pollutant
monitors have been placed in urban areas to model pollutant concentrations. In Texas, a
number a near-road monitors have been placed in major urban areas to measure NO2, PM and
CO concentrations. As the near-road monitors are located in the near-road zone of influence
where vehicular emissions have a tendency to peak, these monitors are expected to capture a
majority of these emission concentrations. This data will serve as a valuable source of
information in performing a model evaluation assessment and will help in developing accurate
modeling inputs for air quality modeling.
Technical
Objectives:
The objective is to evaluate AERMOD with near-road air quality monitoring data and provide
insights into the differences between modeling results and monitoring estimates. This research
will help practitioners to conduct project level air quality modeling efficiently and accurately,
improve the interpretation of results, understand the sensitivity of key parameters, and to model
results. Furthermore, insights into utilizing a new source of near-road data for evaluating model
estimates will be provided. Strengths and weaknesses of selected air dispersion models in
addition to suitability of models for different applications will be explored.
This research will be accomplished through the following steps:
1. Perform overview of near-road monitoring data.
2. Perform overview of air quality modeling with AERMOD.
3. Identify types of transportation projects that will be analyzed, factoring in availability of nearroad monitor data in Texas or within U.S.
4. Estimate emission rates using the MOVES emission model. Use the same sets of emission
rates, and run both CALINE3/CALQHCR and AERMOD models.
5. Evaluate and compare model results with near-road monitoring data.
6. Investigate the difference between the model results and real world measurements.
7. Analyze model sensitivity to key input parameters.
Project Statement 17-8
Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
8. Discuss modeling requirements, data sources, input data preparation and model set-up.
9. Document current best practices.
10. Document results.
Desired
Deliverables:
1. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
2. Project Summary Report.
3. Research report documenting all the methodologies, data inputs, ideas to be tested and
results. This document will be used to demonstrate validity and suitability of the air quality
model for transportation applications.
Proposal
Requirements:
1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the University Handbook).
2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical
evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in
RTI’s University Handbook.
3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should
include project name and university abbreviation.
Pre-Proposal
Meeting
Information:
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor
Webex Information:
1. Go to https://txdot.webex.com/txdot/j.php?MTID=mfc14ab977fe5e9b0f08bd6c460e4a647
2. Meeting Number: 738 720 136
3. If requested, enter your name and email address.
4. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: 1234
5. Click "Join".
Teleconference Information:
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you
can call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-866-637-1408 (US)
Conference Code: 199 125 9183
Notifying RTI of
Intent to
Propose:
Notify your University Liaison of your intent to submit a proposal. Your Liaison will provide
information regarding the RFP.
Proposal
Deadline:
Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time, June 2, 2016. Email submissions
should be sent to rtimain@txdot.gov.
Project Statement 17-8