Guidance on Control Strategies for State and Local Agencies
This page contains EPA guidance to help state and local air quality agencies quantify and implement state implementation plan (SIP) control strategies that reduce mobile source emissions. Guidance can be found on the following strategies:
On this page:
- Cetane Improvement Programs
- Commuter Programs
- Diesel Retrofit and Replacements
- Land Use
- Locomotive Idle Reduction
- Transportation Control Measures
- Transportation Pricing
Cetane Improvement Programs
- Guidance on Quantifying NOx Benefits for Cetane Improvement Programs for Use in SIPs and Transportation Conformity (pdf) (470 KB, February 2023, EPA-420-B-23-006) This document provides guidance on how to quantify emission reductions from state cetane improvement programs. This guidance updates and supersedes the 2004 Guidance on these programs.
Note: While much of the information in the 2004 Guidance remains relevant, updates are needed to account for changes in fleet composition and control technology that have occurred since 2004, which have greatly reduced the emissions reductions attributable to these types of programs. The 2023 document also provides updated information on the CAA’s fuel preemption provisions, which have changed since the 2004 Guidance was released.
Commuter Programs
- Commuter Programs: Quantifying and Using Their Emission Benefits in SIPs and Conformity (pdf)(498 K, EPA-420-B-14-004, February 2014) This document provides guidance on how to quantify emission reductions from commuter programs in a SIP or transportation conformity determination.
Diesel Retrofit and Replacements
- Diesel Retrofit and Replacement Projects: Quantifying and Using Their Emission Benefits in SIPs and Conformity - Guidance for State and Local Air and Transportation Agencies (pdf) (1.0 MB, EPA-420-B-18-017, March 2018)
This document provides guidance on quantifying and using emission reductions from highway and nonroad diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment that have been retrofitted or replaced with cleaner technologies. The guidance discusses how emission reductions from diesel retrofit and replacement projects can be used in a SIP and in transportation conformity and general conformity determinations. Note: This MOVES2014-based guidance continues to be relevant for the MOVES3 model: both onroad and nonroad MOVES instructions in this guidance apply to MOVES3. This document refers to the MOVES Technical Guidance, which has now been updated with MOVES3: MOVES3 Technical Guidance (pdf) (1 MB, EPA-420-B-20-052, November 2020)- Nonroad Retrofit Tool (XLTM) (14 MB, July 2018): This spreadsheet-based tool simplifies the creation of a nonroad retrofit and replacement input table by creating a template for that table and then filling that table based on user input. Instructions are included with the tool.
Land Use
- Background Information for Land Use SIP Policy (pdf) (6736 K, EPA420-R-98-012, September 1998)
This report summarizes efforts by states to take SIP credit for land use strategies and areas where additional policies are needed to support effective land use SIP policies. - Comparing Methodologies to Assess Transportation and Air Quality Impacts of Brownfields and Infill Development (pdf) (1.4 MB, EPA-231-R-01-001, August 2001)
This report describes and compares four methods for characterizing the air quality benefits resulting from infill development. This report is a companion piece to EPA's policy guidance entitled, "Improving Air Quality Through Land Use Activities." - Evaluation of Modeling Tools for Assessing Land Use Policies and Strategies (pdf) (244 K, EPA420-R-97-007, August 1997)
This EPA-sponsored report addresses the relationship between land use, mobility, and vehicle miles traveled; provides an assessment of various travel demand and land use modeling tools. - Granting Air Quality Credit for Land Use Measures: Policy Options (pdf) (180 K, EPA420-P-99-028, September 1999)
This study analyzes policy options for recognizing and providing credit for sustainable land use activities when specific control measures are employed. - Improving Air Quality Through Land Use Activities (pdf) (1.8 MB, EPA420-R-01-001, January 2001)
Guidance to assist air quality and transportation planners in accounting for the air quality impacts of voluntary land use policies and projects.
Locomotive Idle Reduction
- Locomotive Idling Guidance (pdf) (312 K, EPA-420-B-09-037, October 2009)
Guidance for quantifying and using long duration switch yard locomotive idling emission control programs in State Implementation Plans and conformity. Update of June 2013:- The default locomotive emission factors included in this guidance have since been updated; consult the locomotives page for the most recent emission factors.
- In addition, Appendix I to EPA's Transportation Conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-spot Analyses in PM2.5; and PM10 Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas describes how to estimate locomotive emissions at the project level and may be a useful resource when quantifying locomotive emission reductions.
Transportation Control Measures
- Transportation Control Measure: State Implementation Plan Guidance (EPA450/2-89-020, September 1990)
This document lists approval criteria that needs to be met so that a transportation control measure (TCM) may be incorporated into a SIP. The guidance also directs states to use additional TCM-specific guidance where available. - Estimating Emission Reductions from Travel Efficiency Strategies
Over the past several years, EPA has supported air quality and transportation planning activities by developing the Travel Efficiency Assessment Method (TEAM). TEAM uses transportation sketch modeling, readily available travel activity data sets and EPA’s MOVES emissions model to estimate the potential future emission reductions from combinations of “travel efficiency” strategies. The term “travel efficiency” (TE) refers to a broad range of strategies designed to reduce travel activity, especially single-occupancy travel. TE strategies include employer-based transportation management programs, transit improvements, smart growth and related land use strategies, road and parking pricing, and other strategies aimed at reducing mobile source emissions by reducing vehicle travel activity. See EPA’s “Estimating Emission Reductions from Travel Efficiency Strategies” website for more information on TEAM. - Benefits Estimates for Selected Transportation Control Measure (TCM) Programs (pdf) (677 K, EPA420-R-98-002, March 1999)
This report quantifies TCMs that have been implemented, and outlines the methodologies used for estimating their emission and travel activity effects. - Methodologies for Estimating Emission and Travel Activity Effects of TCMs (pdf) (3.49 MB, EPA420-R-94-002, July 1994)
This is an overview of several different methodologies available for assessing the potential emission reductions associated with transportation control measures. - Transportation Control Measure Information Documents (pdf) (2.06 MB, EPA400-R-92-006, March 1992)
This report describes variations in implementation, examples, expected transportation and emission impacts, and other important considerations for the 16 broad categories of TCMs as required and described under Section 108(f) of the Clean Air Act.
Transportation Pricing
- Opportunities to Improve Air Quality through Transportation Pricing Programs
This document provides general information on pricing programs, including pricing program advantages, the institutional relationships necessary for pricing measures to work, and some pitfalls to avoid in implementing a program. - Technical Methods for Analyzing Pricing Measures to Reduce Transportation Emissions (pdf) (1.8 MB, EPA 231-R-98-006, August 1998)
This report, jointly funded by EPA and DOT, provides technical assistance on best practice approaches for analyzing various transportation pricing policies.