 To help you better understand how we help air quality, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, along with the Regional Transportation Council, has developed Air Quality Emphasis Areas. We strive to implement programs that will improve each of these areas - a comprehensive plan to tackle the air quality situation.
To meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone, it is necessary to address major contributing factors to on-road mobile emissions. If this standard is not met, the region faces strict sanctions, may no longer receive funding to build new roadways, and will continue to experience increased health risks associated with air pollution. It is important that these programs are implemented and the standard is met.
To read the full Air Quality Regional Mobility Initiative and access copies ot other Regional Mobility Initiatives, visit NCTCOG's Regional Mobility Initiative page.
1. High-Emitting Vehicles
A high-emitting vehicle is one that produces excessive emissions or is not in compliance with emission standards. (read more)
2. Cold Starts
Vehicles release a greater amount of pollutant emissions during the first few minutes after ignition because the engine has not yet reached optimal operating temperature. (read more)
3. Hard Accelerations
Operating a vehicle under conditions in ways that require greater engine power, such as hard accelerations , or “jackrabbit” accelerations, result in increased fuel consumption and an increased pollutant emission rate. (read more)
4. Excessive Idling
Vehicle idling increases pollutant emissions through additional fuel combustion and and incomplete fuel combustion that occurs while the engine is not operating at an optimum temperature. (read more)
5. High Speeds
Higher speeds cause greater engine load , resulting from driving at higher speeds increases as fuel consumption and pollutant emission rates. (read more)
6. Low Speeds
Vehicles operating at lower speeds release more pollutant emissions. (read more)
7. Diesel Engines
Diesel vehicles, particularly heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDV), emit pollutants at a much higher level than gasoline vehicles. (read more)
8. Vehicle Miles Traveled
In addition to reducing the pollution per mile traveled, it is necessary to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled. (read more)
9. Energy and Air Quality Policy Integration
The following programs address areas not included above, such as dependence on foreign oil, energy efficiency, and funding for emissions reductions (including non-road sources). (read more)
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