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Air Quality
Transportation conformity ("conformity") is a way to ensure that Federal funding and approval goes to those transportation activities that are consistent with Air Quality goals. Conformity applies to transportation plans, transportation improvement programs (TIPs), and projects funded or approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in areas that do not meet or previously have not met air quality standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, or nitrogen dioxide.
These areas are known as "non-attainment areas" or "maintenance areas," respectively. A conformity determination demonstrates that the total emissions projected for a plan or program are within the emissions limits ("budgets") established by the air quality plan or State Implementation Plan (SIP), and that transportation control measures (TCMs) are implemented in a timely fashion.
Determining Conformity
Regional emissions are estimated based on highway and transit usage according to transportation plans and TIPs. The projected emissions for the plan and TIP must not exceed the emissions limits (or "budgets") established by the SIP. Also, the MPO is required to demonstrate that TCMs are implemented in a timely fashion.
The Decision Process
A formal interagency consultation process involving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FHWA, FTA and State and local transportation and air quality agencies is required in developing SIPs, TIPs, and transportation plans, and in making conformity determinations. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) policy boards make initial conformity determinations in metropolitan areas, while State Departments of Transportation (DOT) usually do so in areas outside of MPOs. Conformity determinations must also be made at the Federal level by FHWA/FTA. These determinations must be made at least every three years, or when transportation plans or TIPs are updated.
Conformity analysis is made available to the public as part of the MPO and/or State DOT planning processes. MPOs are required to make transportation plans, TIPs, and conformity determinations available to the public, accept and respond to public comments, and provide adequate notice of relevant public meetings. Project sponsors must also include appropriate public involvement during project development.
Emissions Budget
The SIP places limits on emissions of each pollutant for each source type (mobile, stationary and area sources). Projected emissions from highway and transit usage must be less than or equal to the emissions limits for on-road mobile vehicles that are established by the SIP. These emissions limits for motor vehicle emissions sources are called "budgets." Budgets are developed as part of the air quality planning process by State air quality/environmental agencies, and approved by EPA. Transportation agencies participate in this process.
Transportation Control Measures (TCMs)
Areas can include TCMs in their SIPs. TCMs are specific programs designed to reduce emissions from transportation sources by reducing vehicle use or changing traffic flow or congestion conditions.
Programs for improving public transit include:
- developing high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities
- ordinances to promote non-motor vehicle travel
- transit improvements
- signal timing
- bicycle and pedestrian facilities
- land use planning
Early Action Compacts (EACs)
Early Action Compacts (EACs) provide areas that were likely to be designated non-attainment for the 8-hr ozone standard with an alternative method for addressing ozone pollution. A participating area must submit a SIP for ozone by the end of 2004, implement control measures by the end of 2005, and demonstrate attainment of the 8-hr standard by the end of 2007. (Under the Clean Air Act, ozone SIPs would be due in 2007.) In return, EPA will defer the designation date and rather than require participating areas to implement certain measures, EPA will allow the areas to select their own methods of reducing ozone.
When a conformity determination is not made according to schedule, there is a conformity lapse and the use of Federal-aid funds is restricted.
Exceptions include:
- safety projects
- certain mass transit projects
- transportation control measures in approved SIPs
- projects that are already authorized
Documents
Emissions Calculations Assistance
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Did You Know
| The Statewide Transportation Plan and Strategic Highway Corridors concept were adopted by the NCDOT Board of Transportation on September 2, 2004. |
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