Analysis of Traffic Congestion and Tropospheric Ozone Levels in San Antonio

Details

• Creators:
  Martello, Michael T. ; McNerney, Michael T.
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Texas at Austin. Center for Transportation Research
• Corporate Contributors:
  Texas Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Air Quality Management Lane Closure Nitrogen Oxides Ozone Traffic Congestion Work Zones
• Publication/ Report Number:
  TX-97/2979-1F, Research Report 2979-1F
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; San Antonio (Texas)
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  Texas. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  The findings of this report are based on (1) a statistical analysis of data collected in the San Antonio area, (2) a literature review, and (3) expert advice on tropospheric ozone formation. The results of the study suggest that a highway construction work zone with lane closure can impact the daily peak ozone or episodic peak ozone concentration. These impacts depend on particular circumstances, such as the severity of the work zone's impact on traffic congestion, the general level of traffic congestion without the work zone, the work zone's location relative to the ozone monitor, and various meteorological and atmospheric phenomena associated with the formation of tropospheric ozone. The statistical analyses conducted indicate that the range of impacts associated with ozone formation is wide, from near zero parts per billion to much higher levels. Additionally, the literature suggests that the net effect of emissions of the ozone precursor NOx depends on when and where they occur, and that such emissions can be harmful and/or beneficial to ozone formation depending on particular circumstances. Thus, given the potential severity that a work zone lane closure can have on the daily peak ozone concentration and, hence, the potential contribution that a work zone lane closure could have on a metropolitan area becoming classified as a non-attainment area for ozone, the authors recommend that Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials consider requiring a detailed air quality impact analysis on ozone formation under various scenarios of the parameters mentioned above (and detailed in this report) before a work zone lane closure is allowed.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  7-2979
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:31c9fa8616f3f9029bc07bcf9208b2338c83a26b5e5a36c778cde7d8f1a46b3cb45e4133bc6d8138bdd170ff2fcbdebe0afb7649a62147660d8e110cf2d4ad14
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86916/dot_86916_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 18.42 MB ]