NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS SPEAK: PRESENT AND PLANNED MPO RESPONSES TO THE TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1990

A survey of 98 ozone non-attainment metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) was conducted in the fall of 1992, to determine actions being taken to address the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA). Of these, 62 cities responded. The survey dealt with general status of air quality planning, transportation planning efforts for CAAA, expected future increases in effort and budget, and legal actions expected. Also reviewed were MPO roles in SIP revisions, TIP and TCM actions taken and planned and their impacts, changes in modeling procedures, and opinions about guidance and additional suggestions. Results are compared with 2 other recent surveys (by NARC and AASHTO) on similar topics. The study found that about 17% of MPO staff (338 persons) in non-attainment areas were being spent on CAAA issues, while up to 50% of MPO staff effort was being spent in "severe" areas, less than 10% in "serious" and "moderate" areas. Annual funding of about $6.8 million, planned increase of $2.3 million, and about 51 new staff were also reported. About 80% of the MPOs reported that they have led or support roles in SIP reviews, and 35% said the TIP was being revised to reflect CAAA issues. But the projected reduction in emissions caused by TIP revisions was only -0.8% to -1.77% (on average) of regional emissions (HC and CO). Commonly implemented actions included ridesharing, transit, and bicycle-pedestrian actions; popular planned actions included bicycle-pedestrian, enhanced I/M, transit, and employer-based trip reductions. Respondents expressed concern about the content, lack of clarity and timelines of guidance, and requested more information and training on the impacts of TCMs. The NARC and AASHTO surveys were generally comparable in their findings. In 9 in-depth follow-up interviews, MPOs expressed optimism about future cooperation with state and local air quality agencies in SIP development. Given the delay in issuing rules, the complexity of the analysis, lack of training, and low probable impacts of TCMs, the 1996 deadlines will be difficult to meet.