Transportation Air Quality Conformity

In response to the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency has established health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six air pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. Areas that fail to meet the NAAQS are designated “non-attainment” and are required to develop plans to come into compliance with the standards.

Transportation conformity is a way to ensure that Federal funding and approval goes to those transportation activities that are consistent with the NAAQS. 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 various pollutants. A conformity determination demonstrates that the total emissions projected for a plan or program are within the emissions limits (“budgets”) established by the State Implementation Plan (SIP), and that transportation pollution control measures are implemented in a timely fashion.

The Eugene-Springfield region has only two pollutants for which air quality conformity must be determined: particulate matter of less than 10 microns (PM10) and carbon monoxide (CO). The region is currently classified as non-attainment for PM10. Since it has been established that emissions from motor vehicles are not a significant contributing factor to overall PM10 emissions, transportation conformity is not required. Air quality conformity for PM10 must be demonstrated by Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA). There has not been an exceedance of PM10 standards since 1987.

In 1994, the Eugene-Springfield area was classified as in attainment of the air quality standard for the pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) the majority of which is emitted by motor vehicles. The region is currently in the required 20 year maintenance period during which continued compliance with the Clean Air Act has to be demonstrated. There has not been an exceedance of the CO standards since 1980. Transportation conformity determinations must be made by the Central Lane MPO at least every three years, or when transportation plans or TIPs are updated. A public comment period and a public hearing are held before the MPO policy board adopts a conformity determination.

The most recent air conformity determination for the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) was completed in June 2004; the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program, FY06-09, was conformed in August 2006. Analysis indicates that CO levels will continue to decline under current transportation plans and policies. Measurements made by LRAPA confirm that CO levels are well within the federal air quality standards.

Project Level Conformity. Hot spot CO analysis is required for all non-exempt projects within the AQMA. Further, within Lane County, LRAPA requires an indirect source permit for new construction or modifications of certain road, airport and parking facilities. Hot spot PM10 analyses are required for all projects within the Eugene-Springfield urban growth boundary.

Downloads:

Conformity Determination - 2031 Regional Transportation Plan and FY08-11 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program - November 2007 (approved January 16, 2008)
Complete Document (includes maps, 9.28MB PDF )*
Report (without maps, 548 KB PDF )*
Appendices (without maps, 3.71 MB PDF )*
Map 3 - MTIP Projects (840 KB PDF )* 
Map 4 - Roadway Projects (889 KB PDF )* 
Map 5 - Bike/Ped Projects (951 KB PDF )* 
Map 6 - Transit Projects (910 KB PDF )* 
Map 7 - Nodal Development (833 KB PDF )* 
Map E-1 - Road Functional Classification (1.65 MB PDF )* 

Data Files and Parameters Used in Latest Conformity Determination - November 2007
(for reference by agencies undertaking project level hot-spot analyses)
2004 Lane County Vehicle Fleet Distribution (from DEQ) (5 KB txt file)
Environmental Parameters (from LRAPA) (8 KB PDF )
Computed Winter CO Emission Rates from MOBILE 6.2.03 (32 KB Excel )

Carbon Monoxide State Implementation Plan for Eugene/Springfield (1.73 MB PDF )*

More About Air Quality and Conformity:
Federal Clean Air Act
Oregon Transportation Conformity Regulations (ORS 340-252)
EPA Air Quality Regulations and Other Issues
Oregon DEQ Air Quality Topics
Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA)

LCOG maintains an e-mail list of citizens who are interested in receiving periodic electronic updates concerning transportation planning in the Central Lane Transportation Management Area. If you would like to be added to this list, please sign up!

Contact:
Andrea Riner, Transportation Planning Manager
(541) 682-6512
Paul Thompson, Senior Planner
(541) 682-4405