Transportation: Pollution Reduction

Objective

Historically, communities of color and people living in low-income neighborhoods are more likely to be exposed to air and noise pollution from traffic. This has long-term implications for respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health.

Are you taking into consideration the impact of noise and air pollution when you plan road expansions? Are you reducing exposures to traffic-related pollutants by facilitating adoption of clean transportation technologies in vulnerable communities? Are you considering alternatives to road expansions in vulnerable neighborhoods?

Examples of Data Needed for Equitable Strategy Development (Qualitative and Quantitative)

  • Are you working with your public health department to collect data on respiratory and cardiovascular disease in the areas where your community is planning road expansions?
  • Do you have a plan for mitigating the impact of increased emissions in areas where you anticipate traffic counts to increase?
  • Have you prioritized access to transit and active transportation in areas with high levels of noise and air pollution?
  • Have you worked with businesses and owners of multi-family housing to identify locations for EV charging stations?

Examples of Equity-Based Municipal Strategies

Consider Alternatives to Highway Expansion:

  • Advocate for ‘Fix it First’ policies
  • Prioritize resources for roadway maintenance
  • Advocate for replacing highways that bisect BIPOC and low-income neighborhoods with boulevards and connected street grids

Access to Clean Vehicle Technologies:

  • Ensure access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in low-income and rural areas
  • Help guide federal and state funding for charging into BIPOC neighborhoods
  • Ensure state planning focuses not just on highway charging
  • Purchase electric transit buses

School Buses; Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles:

  • Support electric school buses to reduce exposure to toxic diesel fumes by children, community members, and bus drivers
  • Promote electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles to mitigate the disparate air pollution impacts on marginalized communities.

Responsible Local Agency or Department

  • Transportation, Streets
  • Public Works
  • Planning & Community Development

Opportunities

Obstacles

  • VW settlement dollars go through the legislature, future uncertain
  • IIJA funds uncertain as dollars go through the state legislature

Resources and Contacts for Technical & Policy Support