Policy Issue
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ)
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program, co-administered
by Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration
was created to help off-set the adverse impact on air quality from
additional traffic generated by new and expanded road projects. CMAQ funds
are allocated
from the Federal Highway Trust Fund to assist states with “nonattainment
areas.” These funds can be used in concert with transportation projects
to either reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, or both.
For more information on the history of the CMAQ program, please click
here.
As part of the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Congress acted to:
- Allow states to use CMAQ funds to reduce pollution from road construction
equipment.
- Build on the success of emission control projects like the one employed during the Big Dig. The Big Dig site in Boston is the prototype for emission reductions at a construction site. The impact of diesel
pollution was minimized at the site by retrofitting construction equipment and limiting
idling time. Preliminary estimates of area-wide emission reductions
from just the retrofitting of equipment amounted to approximately 36 tons per
year of carbon monoxide (or the equivalent of entirely removing more
than 75 newer model cars from use each year), 12 tons per year of
hydrocarbons (or the equivalent of entirely removing more than 350
newer model cars
from
use each year), and 3 tons per year of particulate matter (or the equivalent
of entirely removing more than 270 newer model cars from use each year).
Moreover, the Big Dig experienced no adverse operational problems or
additional maintenance costs related to its emission reduction strategies.
- Provide
states with a powerful – but flexible – tool to apply
the most cost- effective emission reduction strategies. The CMAQ
language does not mandate emission reductions but instead offers states
the
ability to evaluate their own needs and seek a range of solutions,
including using
CMAQ funds for diesel retrofits.
Legislative Information:
US Code § 149. Congestion mitigation
and air quality improvement program
Library of Congress information on PL 109-59
CMAQ section of PL 109-59
Additional legislative information can be found at The Library of Congress
THOMAS site.
Background Information and Reports:
The CMAQ Solution to Diesel Emissions: How to Use CMAQ More Effectively
Transportation
Research Board “The CMAQ Program: Assessing 10 Years
of Experience” (Please
note, this link takes you to the National Academies Press so that you
may purchase the report).
A Methodology for Comparing the Cost-Effectiveness of CMAQ Projects (Wescott Study commissioned by ECTA)
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